Methods of preparing a liquid Chlorella-based composition comprising pasteurization and stabilization of a low concentration of mixotrophic or non-mixotrophic Chlorella whole cells are disclosed. The liquid composition can be used to enhance at least one plant characteristic such as: seed germination rate, seed germination time, seedling emergence, seedling emergence time, seedling size, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, utilization, fruit production, leaf production, leaf formation, thatch height, plant health, plant resistance to salt stress, plant resistance to heat stress, plant resistance to heavy-metal stress, plant resistance to drought, maturation time, yield, root length, root mass, color, insect damage, blossom end rot, softness, fruit quality, and sunburn.

Methods of preparing a liquid Chlorella-based composition comprising pasteurization and stabilization of a low concentration of mixotrophic or non-mixotrophic Chlorella whole cells are disclosed. The liquid composition can be used to enhance at least one plant characteristic such as: seed germination rate, seed germination time, seedling emergence, seedling emergence time, seedling size, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, utilization, fruit production, leaf production, leaf formation, thatch height, plant health, plant resistance to salt stress, plant resistance to heat stress, plant resistance to heavy-metal stress, plant resistance to drought, maturation time, yield, root length, root mass, color, insect damage, blossom end rot, softness, fruit quality, and sunburn.

Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a Coleopteran plant pest or a Diabarotica 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.

Methods and compositions are provided which employ a silencing element that, when ingested by a pest, such as a Coleopteran plant pest or a Diabarotica 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.

The present application relates to plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs), compositions comprising these PGPMs and methods of using these PGPMs and/or compositions for enhancing plant health, plant growth and/or plant yield, and/or for preventing, inhibiting, or treating the development of plant pathogens or the development of phytopathogenic diseases. This application also provides non-naturally occurring plant varieties that are artificially infected with a PGPM descried herein, as well as seed, reproductive tissue, vegetative tissue, regenerative tissues, plant parts, or progeny thereof.

The present application relates to plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs), compositions comprising these PGPMs and methods of using these PGPMs and/or compositions for enhancing plant health, plant growth and/or plant yield, and/or for preventing, inhibiting, or treating the development of plant pathogens or the development of phytopathogenic diseases. This application also provides non-naturally occurring plant varieties that are artificially infected with a PGPM descried herein, as well as seed, reproductive tissue, vegetative tissue, regenerative tissues, plant parts, or progeny thereof.

The disclosure discloses Bacteroides fragilis for relieving endotoxin infection and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of microorganisms. The Bacteroides fragilis CCFM1020 of the disclosure has low immunogenicity, and can reduce the content of pro-inflammatory factors and increase the concentration of anti-inflammatory factors in the blood of hosts infected with endotoxin, up-regulate the number of Foxp3.sup.+ regulatory T cells and stabilize the composition of the intestinal microbiota. A pharmaceutical composition of the Bacteroides fragilis CCFM1020 for relieving endotoxin infection has broad application prospects.

The invention provides compositions comprising commensal bacterial strains and organic acids and the uses thereof in the treatment of diseases.

The present application discloses method of controlling plant pathogen(s), e.g. fungal and bacterial pathogens, on a plant, wherein a composition comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FCC1256 deposited as ATCC No. PTA-122162 is applied to the plant, in particular to over-ground parts of the plant. The composition may comprise iturin and fengycin in a relative weight ratio of 1.3:1.0 to 3.0:1.0. The application also discloses an agricultural composition comprising the novel strain, a carrier, a surface-active agent and optionally a buffer, and a corresponding concentrate.

The present application discloses method of controlling plant pathogen(s), e.g. fungal and bacterial pathogens, on a plant, wherein a composition comprising Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FCC1256 deposited as ATCC No. PTA-122162 is applied to the plant, in particular to over-ground parts of the plant. The composition may comprise iturin and fengycin in a relative weight ratio of 1.3:1.0 to 3.0:1.0. The application also discloses an agricultural composition comprising the novel strain, a carrier, a surface-active agent and optionally a buffer, and a corresponding concentrate.