Described herein is the evaluation of the antifungal properties of bacterial strain KGS-3 against Fusarium Head Blight (FHB)) white mold, blackleg and a number of potato fungal diseases and the plant growth effect attained. KGS-3 is a novel strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa that can suppress bacterial and fungal plant diseases. KGS-3 is predicted to produce antifungal metabolites polymyxin, fusaricidin, and paenilarvin and has been demonstrated to produce cylindrol B. KGS-3 is a plant growth promoting bacteria demonstrated to increase protein content of plants and/or plant products.

Methods of predicting in planta phenotypes of microbial strains are provided. The methods can include culturing microbial strains in a plant exudate medium and assaying in vitro phenotypes of the microbial strains. The methods may also include using the in vitro phenotypes to predict in planta phenotypes of the microbial strains. Methods of using the microbial strains in field trials are also provided.

Disclosed herein are the nucleotide sequences of the Chromobacterium subtsugae genes. In addition, the amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the C. subtsugae genes are provided. Nucleic acids, vectors and polypeptides comprising the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Homologues, functional fragments and conservative variants of the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Compositions having pesticidal, bioremedial and plant growth-promoting activities comprising C. subtsugae genes and proteins, and methods for the use of these compositions, are also provided.

This invention relates to methods and materials for modulating seed nutritional quality traits of seeds produced by a wheat, cotton, soybean, or maize plant, said plant having been heterologously disposed to, or grown from, a plant element treated with an endophyte.

This invention relates to methods and materials for modulating seed nutritional quality traits of seeds produced by a wheat, cotton, soybean, or maize plant, said plant having been heterologously disposed to, or grown from, a plant element treated with an endophyte.

The present invention discloses biomass compositions for improving shelf life, increasing fruit water retention, and/or decreasing needle-drop in conifer species and methods for making the same. The composition comprises pasteurized microalgae selected from Chlorella, Aurantiochytrium, Scenedesmus, or any combination thereof.

The present invention discloses biomass compositions for improving shelf life, increasing fruit water retention, and/or decreasing needle-drop in conifer species and methods for making the same. The composition comprises pasteurized microalgae selected from Chlorella, Aurantiochytrium, Scenedesmus, or any combination thereof.

Disclosed herein are pesticicial combinations, including combinations of Yersinia entomophaga (and/or toxins therefrom) and/or Yersinia nurmii (and/or toxins therefrom) with Bacillus thuringiensis (and/or toxins therefrom). As shown herein, such combinations may provide unexpected pesticidal effects and may be useful for treating insects and other pests and for enhancing plant growth and/or yield.

Methods of crossbreeding fungi organisms. The methods include placing a first fungus organism on a first growth medium. The first fungus organism is selected from the genus Psilocybe or Panaeolus. The methods further include placing a second fungus organism on the first growth medium adjacent to the first fungus organism. The second fungus organism is selected from the genus Psilocybe or Panaeolus and is different than the first fungus organism. The methods include allowing the first fungus organism to replicate to form a first colony and allowing the second fungus organism to replicate to form a second colony. The methods further include allowing the first colony and the second colony to expand until they intersect along a clamp line where the first colony and the second colony exchange genetic material between them to yield a crossbred fungus organism.

Signal sequences useful for targeting proteins and peptides to the surface of endospores produced by Brevibacillus, Lysinibacillus, or Viridibacillus family members and methods of using the same are provided. The display of heterologous molecules, such as peptides, polypeptides and other recombinant constructs, on the exosporium of Brevibacillus, Lysinibacillus, or Viridibacillus family members, using particular N-terminal targeting sequences and derivatives of the same, and likewise are provided.