The present invention provides a novel method of manufacturing germinated plant seeds suitable for producing a large amount of phytoalexin, a method of manufacturing raw material seeds for germination induction for use in manufacture of the above germinated plant seeds, an extract composition of the germinated plant seeds and a screening method for a plant seed candidate for use in producing a target substance. The method of manufacturing raw material seeds for germination induction comprises a pre-treatment step of maintaining plant seeds under atmosphere conditions of a carbon dioxide concentration of 400 ppm or more and/or an oxygen concentration of 19 vol % or less continuously for 5 hours or more.

Disclosed are methods for treating seeds with a seed treatment composition that includes: (A) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides. Also disclosed are seeds treated with such a treatment compositions and methods for treating a seed using such treatment composition.

Disclosed are seed treatment compositions that include: (A) an aqueous polyurethane dispersion; and (B) an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematicide, and/or other pesticides. Also disclosed are seeds treated with such a treatment compositions and methods for treating a seed using such treatment composition.

A composition useful for application to plants, seeds or soil to inhibit fungal infections comprises a protein source inoculated with from 510.sup.7 cfu to 510.sup.9 cfu of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain per gram of the protein source.

Methods are provided for 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.

Methods for improving the ability of a population of biological agents to compete and survive in a field setting are provided. By improving the population of biological agents, the modified population of agents is able to grow, compete with other microbial strains and fungi, and provide protection for plants from pathogens. In particular, modified biological agents and modified populations of such agents that are herbicide tolerant or resistant are selected or engineered. In this manner, the protection from disease-causing agents is enhanced. Such modified populations of biological agents can be added to soils to prevent fungal pathogens and the diseases they cause promoting plant growth. Therefore, the present invention is useful for enhancing the competitiveness of modified biological agents particularly over other microbial agents which are not herbicide resistant. Compositions of the invention include selected or engineered herbicide resistant biological agents and modified populations of biocontrol agents. These modified biological agents can be used as an inoculant or as a seed coating for plants and seeds.

The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating plants or grass for a phytopathogenic microorganism comprising: identifying a plant or grass in need of treatment for Goss or Stewart Wilt; and spraying the plant or grass with a cell suspension, supernatant, filtrate, cell fraction, or whole cell broth derived from a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and/or Bacillus subtilis, effective to inhibit said phytopathogenic microorganisms such as Clavibacter michiganensis or Pantoea stewartii (Erwinia stewartia).

The present invention relates to the combination of spirulina and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and/or pharmaceutically acceptable derivates or salts thereof, pharmaceutical formulations comprising the combination of spirulina and PEA and/or pharmaceutically acceptable derivates or salts thereof, optionally together with at least one physiologically acceptable excipient, and the use of the combination of spirulina and PEA and/or pharmaceutically acceptable derivates or salts thereof and formulations which include the said combination, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of tissue hyperactivation states, in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory pathologies, in the prevention and/or treatment of alterations in cardiac and/or coronary tissue, in the prevention and/or treatment of alterations in the vascular tissue, in the prevention and/or treatment of ophthalmic pathologies, preferably in the prevention and/or treatment of macular degeneration pathologies and glaucoma, in the prevention and/or treatment of dyslipidemia, in the prevention and/or treatment of alterations in pulmonary tissue, in the prevention and/or treatment of alterations in pelvic tissues, in the prevention and/or treatment of cellular alterations due to carcinogenesis, and/or in the prevention and/or treatment of dermatological alterations.

This invention relates to methods and materials for modulating the characteristics of a plant, said plant having been heterologously disposed to an endophyte or a plurality of endophytes, or derived from a plant reproductive element heterologously disposed to an endophyte or a plurality of endophytes.

The invention relates to compositions comprising one or more insecticides and further comprising a carrier composition comprising one or more glycols, and methods of controlling an insect population comprising applying said compositions to the insect habitat using a thermal fogger.