The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251 (AGAL No. 89/030550) and Coniothyrium minitans CON/M/91-08 (DSM 9660) and/or a mutant of these strains having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against nematodes, insects and/or phytopathogens, and at least one insecticide (I) selected from the group consisting of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric activators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blockers and ryanodine receptor modulators in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit of parts comprising said composition and the use of said composition.

The disclosure relates to methods for the screening, identification, and/or application of one or more microorganisms of use in imparting one or more beneficial properties to one or more plants.

The disclosure relates to methods for the screening, identification, and/or application of one or more microorganisms of use in imparting one or more beneficial properties to one or more plants.

Novel strains of the insect-pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium var. anisopliae fungal strain BNL 101 deposited in the CABI UK Centre, United Kingdom, having ICI CC Number 506833; or BNL 102 deposited in the CABI UK Centre, United Kingdom, having ICI CC Number 506834; or a culture having the identifying characteristics thereof, are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of using the fungal strains, and spores obtained therefrom, to control insects, and provides a natural pest control preparation. The preparations and compositions comprise several unique and desirable features, such as a wide host range or alternatively a selective host range, and a consistent pathogenicity. The preparations and compositions have a high virulence (insecticidal activity), that is 2 times to 3 times, or greater, mor virulent (insecticidal) than compositions or preparations that do not contain the preparation or composition, and especially that do not contain the BNL 101 or BNL 102 fungal strain, or spores therefrom. The fungal strains also provide for a high spore yield in production, and possess a high stability in the field.

Novel strains of the insect-pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium var. anisopliae fungal strain BNL 101 deposited in the CABI UK Centre, United Kingdom, having ICI CC Number 506833; or BNL 102 deposited in the CABI UK Centre, United Kingdom, having ICI CC Number 506834; or a culture having the identifying characteristics thereof, are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of using the fungal strains, and spores obtained therefrom, to control insects, and provides a natural pest control preparation. The preparations and compositions comprise several unique and desirable features, such as a wide host range or alternatively a selective host range, and a consistent pathogenicity. The preparations and compositions have a high virulence (insecticidal activity), that is 2 times to 3 times, or greater, mor virulent (insecticidal) than compositions or preparations that do not contain the preparation or composition, and especially that do not contain the BNL 101 or BNL 102 fungal strain, or spores therefrom. The fungal strains also provide for a high spore yield in production, and possess a high stability in the field.

Novel strains of the insect-pathogenic fungus, Metarhizium var. anisopliae fungal strain BNL 101 deposited in the CABI UK Centre, United Kingdom, having ICI CC Number 506833; or BNL 102 deposited in the CABI UK Centre, United Kingdom, having ICI CC Number 506834; or a culture having the identifying characteristics thereof, are disclosed. The present invention also discloses methods of using the fungal strains, and spores obtained therefrom, to control insects, and provides a natural pest control preparation. The preparations and compositions comprise several unique and desirable features, such as a wide host range or alternatively a selective host range, and a consistent pathogenicity. The preparations and compositions have a high virulence (insecticidal activity), that is 2 times to 3 times, or greater, mor virulent (insecticidal) than compositions or preparations that do not contain the preparation or composition, and especially that do not contain the BNL 101 or BNL 102 fungal strain, or spores therefrom. The fungal strains also provide for a high spore yield in production, and possess a high stability in the field.

Disclosed are compositions comprising chitosan, glucosamine and amino acids, where the concentration of chitosan is greater than 1.5 wt % and glucosamine is greater than 1.5 wt %. In preferred embodiments the concentration of chitosan is from 2 to 2.5 wt % and glucosamine is 2 to 6 wt %. The composition can also include solid chitin. The composition can also include trace elements, protein and other polysaccharides. The composition is generally a liquid but may be a solid. In most embodiments, the solid can be reconstituted with water prior to use. In preferred embodiments, the composition comprises HYTd and at least one of, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. In other embodiments the composition comprises HYTd and two or more of, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. The composition can also comprise HYTd, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. In the disclosed processes soil, seed, seedling or plant foliage are contacted with HYTd or any of the above compositions.

Disclosed are compositions comprising chitosan, glucosamine and amino acids, where the concentration of chitosan is greater than 1.5 wt % and glucosamine is greater than 1.5 wt %. In preferred embodiments the concentration of chitosan is from 2 to 2.5 wt % and glucosamine is 2 to 6 wt %. The composition can also include solid chitin. The composition can also include trace elements, protein and other polysaccharides. The composition is generally a liquid but may be a solid. In most embodiments, the solid can be reconstituted with water prior to use. In preferred embodiments, the composition comprises HYTd and at least one of, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. In other embodiments the composition comprises HYTd and two or more of, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. The composition can also comprise HYTd, HYTa, HYTb and HYTc. In the disclosed processes soil, seed, seedling or plant foliage are contacted with HYTd or any of the above compositions.

The present disclosure relates to methods of treating or preventing a biofilm-related infection and methods of preventing and treating biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices, implants, and non-medical surfaces comprising administering at least one soluble microbial protein that is encoded by an exopolysaccharide biosynthetic operon or functional gene cluster, wherein the protein comprises a glycosyl hydrolase domain. The present disclosure further provides particular soluble glycosyl hydrolases and compositions thereof.

Nodulisporic acids (NAs) comprise a group of indole diterpenes known for their potent insecticidal activities; however, biosynthesis of NAs by its natural producer, Hypoxylon pulicicidum (Nodulisporium sp.) is exceptionally difficult to achieve. The identification of genes responsible for NA production could enable biosynthetic pathway optimization to provide access to NAs for commercial applications. Obtaining useful quantities of NAs using published fermentations methods is challenging, making gene knockout studies an undesirable method to confirm gene function. Alternatively, heterologous gene expression of H. pulicicidum genes in a more robust host species like Penicillium paxilli provides a way to rapidly identify the function of genes that play a role in NA biosynthesis. In this work, we identified the function of four secondary-metabolic genes necessary for the biosynthesis of nodulisporic acid F (NAF) and reconstituted these genes in the genome of P. paxilli to enable heterologous production of NAF in this fungus.