The invention relates to methods and compositions for modifying a characteristic of a plant without modifying the plant's genome using one or more cells comprising one or more phytohormone genes and at least one polynucleotide of interest, which one or more phytohormone genes and the at least one polynucleotide of interest are expressed in the one or more cells.

A method of increasing drought resistance of a plant, the method comprising applying a Bacillus methylotrophicus or a composition thereof (i) to the plant or to a part of the plant; and/or (ii) to an area around the plant or plant part, in an amount effective to produce an increased drought resistance in the plant as compared to the drought stress resistance of the plant in the absence of said application of Bacillus methylotrophicus or composition, is described. A biologically pure culture of a 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase deficient Bacillus methylotrophicus bacterium strain, or a mutant thereof able to induce drought resistance in a plant are also described.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for modifying naturally non-mycorrhizal plants to produce modified plants that can be colonized by a mycorrhizal fungus having increased nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, increased drought tolerance/resistance, increased resistance to fungal and/or bacterial pathogens, and/or increased growth rate, yield and/or biomass production of a naturally non-mycorrhizal plant. The invention further relates to plants, plant parts, and/or plant cells produced by the methods of the invention as well as harvested and processed products from the plants, plant parts, and/or plant cells.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for modifying naturally non-mycorrhizal plants to produce modified plants that can be colonized by a mycorrhizal fungus having increased nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, increased drought tolerance/resistance, increased resistance to fungal and/or bacterial pathogens, and/or increased growth rate, yield and/or biomass production of a naturally non-mycorrhizal plant. The invention further relates to plants, plant parts, and/or plant cells produced by the methods of the invention as well as harvested and processed products from the plants, plant parts, and/or plant cells.

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.

A method of inoculating a tree with an ectomycorrhizal fungus is disclosed. The method comprises contacting at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree with the ectomycorrhizal fungus under conditions suitable for inoculation of the at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root by the ectomycorrhizal fungus. Methods of cultivating the ectomycorrhizal fungus are also disclosed as well as systems and devices for same.

A method of inoculating a tree with an ectomycorrhizal fungus is disclosed. The method comprises contacting at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root of the tree with the ectomycorrhizal fungus under conditions suitable for inoculation of the at least one non-terrestrial adventitious root by the ectomycorrhizal fungus. Methods of cultivating the ectomycorrhizal fungus are also disclosed as well as systems and devices for same.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.

This invention relates to methods and materials for providing a benefit to a plant by associating the plant with a complex endophyte comprising a host fungus further comprising a component bacterium, including benefits to a plant derived from a seed or other plant element treated with a complex endophyte. For example, this invention provides purified complex endophytes, purified complex endophyte components such as bacteria or fungi, synthetic combinations comprising said complex endophytes and/or components, and methods of making and using the same.