Endophyte Compositions for Plant Biotic Stress Tolerance

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability by improving plant health to meet the growing food demands of a projected global population while reducing resource use and environmental impact, particularly in the face of biotic stresses from pests and pathogens.

Innovation Solution

Heterologous introduction of endophytes with specific gene clusters, such as tailocin, Type VI secretion system, Type VI secretion system putative effector, flagellin, O-antigen biosynthesis, and pseudaminic acid biosynthesis genes, into plant elements to improve agronomic traits like biotic stress tolerance, early emergence, plant height, root weight, and shoot weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional agricultural methods are used to meet growing food demands, then food production increases, but resource consumption increases and environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood productionVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The endophyte-modified plants possess inherent biotic stress tolerance through introduced gene clusters (tailocin, Type VI secretion system, flagellin, O-antigen biosynthesis, pseudaminic acid biosynthesis), enabling them to protect themselves against pests and pathogens without external chemical inputs, thereby increasing productivity while reducing resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies plant traits by introducing specific gene clusters that alter the plant's biological parameters, including enhanced biotic stress tolerance, improved early emergence, increased plant height, greater root weight, and enhanced shoot weight, achieving higher productivity with reduced resource input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional agricultural methods are used to meet growing food demands, then food production increases, but environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood productionVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The endophyte-modified plants possess inherent biotic stress tolerance through introduced gene clusters (tailocin, Type VI secretion system, flagellin, O-antigen biosynthesis, pseudaminic acid biosynthesis), enabling them to protect themselves against pests and pathogens without external chemical inputs, thereby increasing productivity while reducing resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gene clusters that enable plants to convert potential harmful interactions with pests and pathogens into beneficial outcomes, where the plants actively resist biotic stresses through endophyte-mediated mechanisms, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and improving environmental sustainability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If plants are exposed to biotic stresses from pests and pathogens, then agricultural challenges increase, but plant health deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant healthVSAvoidbiotic stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The endophyte-modified plants are pre-equipped with biotic stress tolerance through introduced gene clusters before encountering pests or pathogens, enabling them to resist biotic stresses proactively rather than reactively, thereby maintaining plant health and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The endophyte-modified plants possess inherent biotic stress tolerance through introduced gene clusters (tailocin, Type VI secretion system, flagellin, O-antigen biosynthesis, pseudaminic acid biosynthesis), enabling them to protect themselves against pests and pathogens without external chemical inputs, thereby increasing productivity while reducing resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250351831A1Endophyte compositions and methods for improved plant health

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 INDIGO AG INC

AI summary

This invention relates to compositions and methods for improving plant health, including treatment formulations plant comprising one or more endophytes.