Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a Coleopteran plant pest or a Diabrotica plant pest, decrease the expression of a target sequence in the pest. In specific embodiments, the decrease in expression of the target sequence controls the pest and thereby the methods and compositions are capable of limiting damage to a plant. The present invention provides various target polynucleotides set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-236 or active variants and fragments thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more the sequences in the target pest controls the pest (i.e., has insecticidal activity). Further provided are silencing elements which when ingested by the pest decrease the level of the target polypeptide and thereby control the pest. In specific embodiment, the pest is D. virgifera virgifera, D. barberi, D. speciosa, or D. undecimpunctata howardi Plants, plant part, bacteria and other host cells comprising the silencing elements or an active variant or fragment thereof of the invention are also provided.

Provided are compositions and methods for selectively reducing the amount of antibiotic resistant and/or virulent bacteria in a mixed bacteria population, or for reducing any other type of unwanted bacteria in a mixed bacteria population. The compositions and methods involve targeting bacteria that are differentiated from other members of the population by at least one unique clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) targeted DNA sequence. The compositions and methods can be readily adapted to target any bacteria or any bacteria plasmid, or both.

Provided are compositions and methods for selectively reducing the amount of antibiotic resistant and/or virulent bacteria in a mixed bacteria population, or for reducing any other type of unwanted bacteria in a mixed bacteria population. The compositions and methods involve targeting bacteria that are differentiated from other members of the population by at least one unique clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) targeted DNA sequence. The compositions and methods can be readily adapted to target any bacteria or any bacteria plasmid, or both.

Compositions and methods are described that provide controlled release of stabilized bacteria into the oral cavity on consumption of a food, candy, gum, or similar substance so as to promote colonization of oral surface by the bacteria. Bacteria are selected to treat an oral condition, such as oral disease, halitosis, and/or stained enamel on consumption of the food.

A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

The present invention provides yield and early vigor enhancing compositions comprising Methylobacterium sp., methods for improving corn yield and early vigor, and methods of making the compositions. Also provided are isolated yield enhancing Methylobacterium sp.

The present invention provides yield and early vigor enhancing compositions comprising Methylobacterium sp., methods for improving corn yield and early vigor, and methods of making the compositions. Also provided are isolated yield enhancing Methylobacterium sp.

The present invention is generally directed to fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member. The invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins, formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion proteins. Methods for stimulating plant growth and for protecting plants from pathogens by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members or the formulations to plants or a plant growth medium are also described. The invention also relates to methods for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein on plant roots.

The present invention is generally directed to fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member. The invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins, formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion proteins. Methods for stimulating plant growth and for protecting plants from pathogens by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members or the formulations to plants or a plant growth medium are also described. The invention also relates to methods for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein on plant roots.