The present invention concerns the use of the microorganisms species Pseudomonas trivialis, Pseudomonas lurida, Phaeophlebiopsis sp., Periconia macrospinosa for preventing and/or treating Fusarium head blight in cereal plants and/or grains.

A method of increasing organic carbon in a soil is disclosed. The method includes inoculating the soil and/or a plant growing in the soil with one or more fungal strains from at least one genus selected from the group consisting of Acrocalymma, Clonostachys, Leptodontidium, Periconia, Phaeosphaeria, Thozetella, Trichoderma, and a combination thereof, wherein the one or more fungal strains are in an amount effective to increase organic carbon in the soil compared to a non-inoculated control soil. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing plant growth, comprising: applying to a plant, a plant part, or the locus surrounding the plant with one or more fungal strains from at least one genus selected from the group consisting of Acrocalymma, Clonostachys, Leptodontidium, Periconia, Phaeosphaeria, Thozetella, Trichoderma, and a combination thereof in an amount effective to enhance the growth of the plant as compared to an untreated control plant.

Materials and methods for improving plant traits and for providing plant benefits are provided. In some embodiments, the materials, and methods employing the same, can comprise endophytes.

Materials and methods for improving plant traits and for providing plant benefits are provided. In some embodiments, the materials, and methods employing the same, can comprise endophytes.

Methods of evaluating microorganisms to determine efficiency of colonization of a plant or plant part are described. Methods of identifying genetic elements correlated with colonization efficiency of plant-associated microorganism are also provided. Methods to identify microorganisms for use as inoculants for improved plant yield using the colonization screening methods or the presence of genetic elements associated with colonization efficiency are described. Further methods useful for identification of microorganisms useful as inoculants for improving plant yield are presented.

The present invention concerns the use of the microorganisms species Pseudomonas trivialis, Pseudomonas lurida, Phaeophlebiopsis sp., Periconia macrospinosa for preventing and/or treating Fusarium head blight in cereal plants and/or grains.

Described is an isolated strain of the fungus Colonostachys rosea termed BVT Cr-7 useful as a biological control agent for the treatment of plants. The isolated strain, formulations comprising said strain and/or spores derived from said strain may be applied to plants or plant materials in order to improve plant yield, to improve plant growth, or for the treatment or prevention of diseases or pathogens in the plant.

Described is an isolated strain of the fungus Colonostachys rosea termed BVT Cr-7 useful as a biological control agent for the treatment of plants. The isolated strain, formulations comprising said strain and/or spores derived from said strain may be applied to plants or plant materials in order to improve plant yield, to improve plant growth, or for the treatment or prevention of diseases or pathogens in the plant.

The present invention relates to at least one epichloae fungal endophyte strain combined with at least one species of Secale spp., which confers at least some level of pest protection on the Secale spp. plant. In particular, the invention relates to an isolated strain of epichloae fungal endophyte selected from the group consisting of AR3039 (NRRL# 50716), AR3046 (NRRL# 50576), AR3049 (NRRL#50577), AR3050 (NRRL# 50578), AR3064 (NRRL# 50718), AR3067 (NRRL# 50719), AR3068 (NRRL# 50720), AR3073 (NRRL# 50721), AR3074 (NRRL# 50722), AR3076 (NRRL# 50723), and AR3078 (NRRL# 50724), and combinations thereof; a Secale spp. plant infected with a fungal endophyte wherein Secale spp. is not a natural host of the endophyte; a method of making a stable host plant/epichloae fungal endophyte combination; a method of conferring at least some level of pest protection on a host Secale spp. plant; and a Secale spp. seed infected with an epichloae fungal endophyte.

The present invention relates to at least one epichloae fungal endophyte strain combined with at least one species of Secale spp., which confers at least some level of pest protection on the Secale spp. plant. In particular, the invention relates to an isolated strain of epichloae fungal endophyte selected from the group consisting of AR3039 (NRRL# 50716), AR3046 (NRRL# 50576), AR3049 (NRRL#50577), AR3050 (NRRL# 50578), AR3064 (NRRL# 50718), AR3067 (NRRL# 50719), AR3068 (NRRL# 50720), AR3073 (NRRL# 50721), AR3074 (NRRL# 50722), AR3076 (NRRL# 50723), and AR3078 (NRRL# 50724), and combinations thereof; a Secale spp. plant infected with a fungal endophyte wherein Secale spp. is not a natural host of the endophyte; a method of making a stable host plant/epichloae fungal endophyte combination; a method of conferring at least some level of pest protection on a host Secale spp. plant; and a Secale spp. seed infected with an epichloae fungal endophyte.