Provided herein is the identification of insect RNAi target genes (IRTG) involved in gut microbial clearance and containment and examples of a novel biotechnology for devising pesticidal RNAi approaches.

The present invention provides a package (200) comprising at least one first component in the form a well 220, the first component comprising particulate matter comprising at least one natural oil; at least one second component, in the form of a plurality of second wells 230 comprising antagonist(s) of a microbial pathogen; wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are contained in separate compartments of said package. Also provided by the present invention is a method for providing an anti-bacterial agent, the method comprising mixing the first component comprising particulate matter carrying at least one natural oil; and at least one second component comprising at least one antagonist of a microbial pathogen, and allowing said mixture to form into an emulsion with anti-bacterial activity. Further provided by the present invention is a method of treating or preventing a pathogen infection in a plant, the method comprises applying to said plant an amount of an emulsion comprising particulate matter, at least one natural oil and at least one antagonist of a microbial pathogen that causes said pathogen infection. Yet further, there are provided some isolated antagonistic bacteria that may be used, inter alia, in the package and methods disclosed herein.

The present invention relates to a bacteriophage composition comprising one or more (suitably two or more, or three) bacteriophages selected from Sa87, J-Sa36, Sa83, J-Sa37, or mutants thereof, use of the same for medical or non-medical applications, kits, bandage, and wound dressing comprising the same.

The invention discloses a synergist for improving crop resistance and fertilizer absorption capacity. The synergist includes the following components by weight: 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of a water chestnut skin powder, 10-20 parts of a chinaberry bark powder, 10-20 parts of a magnetic material, 10-20 parts of an illite powder, 5-10 parts of a shiitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The synergist can, on one hand, improve the resistance of crops, especially reducing the pests and diseases significantly, improving waterlogging and drought resistance; and, on the other hand, greatly reduce the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, preventing soil compaction. It can also significantly increase the content of active polysaccharides, especially -glucan in crops. In addition, the raw materials are readily available, the cost is low, and there are significant economic benefits.

The invention discloses a synergist for improving crop resistance and fertilizer absorption capacity. The synergist includes the following components by weight: 20-30 parts of an oyster shell powder, 20-30 parts of a water chestnut skin powder, 10-20 parts of a chinaberry bark powder, 10-20 parts of a magnetic material, 10-20 parts of an illite powder, 5-10 parts of a shiitake mushroom polysaccharide extract. The synergist can, on one hand, improve the resistance of crops, especially reducing the pests and diseases significantly, improving waterlogging and drought resistance; and, on the other hand, greatly reduce the use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen fertilizers, preventing soil compaction. It can also significantly increase the content of active polysaccharides, especially -glucan in crops. In addition, the raw materials are readily available, the cost is low, and there are significant economic benefits.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) recombinant exosporium-producing Bacillus cells that express a fusion protein comprising: (i) at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and (ii) a targeting sequence that localizes the fusion protein to the exosporium of the Bacillus cells; and b) at least one further biological control agent selected from particular microorganisms disclosed herein and/or a mutant of a specific strain of a microorganism disclosed herein having all identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for enhancing plant growth, promoting plant health, and/or reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

An immunogenic composition containing leucocidin M/F antigen and capable of imparting a toxin-neutralizing activity to a ruminant animal as a subject animal. The immunogenic composition enables prevention of onset or reduction in symptoms of diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus in ruminant animals. The leucocidin M/F antigen is a protein or peptide having at least a part of the amino acid sequence constituting the leucocidin M protein or a protein or peptide having at least a part of the amino acid sequence constituting the leucocidin F protein. The immunogenic composition may further contain a somatic antigen of Staphylococcus aureus.

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

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.