The present invention provides methods for the cultivation of the Methylobacterium genus of bacteria. In particular the method provides methods for the efficient and inexpensive cultivation of these bacteria. Additionally, the invention provides methods for the utilization of these bacterial cultures to improve plant agriculture.

Apparatus and methods are provided for producing insecticidal black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) frass, and using the frass for nutritional and insect pest control activity in soils and/or on foliage. The methods include processes for using BSF frass to reduce damage to crops caused by wireworms (i.e., click beetle larvae, in the Elateridae family) and/or other Coleopteran (i.e., beetle) insect pests. Also provided is an insect trap comprising BSF frass.

Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifications of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) 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 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: disclosed herein, (but not including the forward and reverse primers.) or active variants and fragments thereof, or complements thereof, wherein a decrease in expression of one or more of 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 embodiments, the pest is D. virgifera virgifera, D. barberi, D. virgifera zeae, D. speciosa, D. speciosa, or D. undecimpunctata howardi. Plants, plant parts, bacteria and other host cells comprising the silencing elements or an active variant or fragment thereof of the invention are also provided.

The present invention refers to a process designed to increase the production of plant growth-promoting microorganisms of the Bacillus genus, using a culture medium poor in nutrients and with specific environmental conditions, allowing to obtain a greater amount of biomass and/or spores, which can be used to prepare solid or liquid compositions to be applied to plants, aiming to promote their growth and/or counteract the effect of phytopathogenic agents.

Fusion proteins, recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express fusion proteins, and exosporium fragments derived from spores of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members are provided. Compositions comprising the spores or exosporium fragments are also provided. Methods involving the use of spores of recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and exosporium fragments derived from spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member in the fields of animal health and aquaculture are provided. In particular, methods are for provided for using such spores or exosporium fragments for protecting an animal or an aquatic organism from a pathogen. Methods are also provided for using exosporium fragments for producing an immunogenic response in an aquatic animal. Products for use in protecting animals from pathogens are also provided, including adhesive patches, wound dressings, insert trays for livestock footbaths, hoof bandages, feed, feed additives, and insect foggers.

Novel insecticidal proteins isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis that are active against lepidopteran insect pests are disclosed. The DNA encoding the insecticidal proteins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the insecticidal proteins. These recombinant organisms can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.

Provided is a bacterial strain which produces a family of mosquitocidal toxins, Xenorhabdus MT, on deposit with the American Type Culture Collection, PTA-6826, insecticidal compositions comprising the mosquitocidal toxin(s) produced by Xenorhabdus MT, a mosquitocidal toxin preparation prepared from spent culture medium, whole culture or cells or a mixture thereof, of Xenorhabdus MT and method of insect control, especially mosquito control. Also provided are microbial compounds (same as mosquitocidal toxins) compositions comprising them and use in formulating therapeutic and other antimicrobial compositions, and methods of use for inhibiting microbial growth and for treating infection.

The present invention relates to a recombinant expression system comprising at least: (i) a first nucleotide sequence encoding for at least one protein of a quorum sensing system capable of detecting the presence, amount or both of a microorganism of interest by forming a complex with a marker molecule indicating the presence of said microorganism; (ii) a second nucleotide sequence encoding for at least one antimicrobial peptide, wherein the at least one antimicrobial peptide is effective against the microorganism of interest detected by the at least one protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence, (iii) a third nucleotide sequence encoding for a genetic inverter that inhibits expression of the second nucleotide sequence, wherein the genetic inverter is under control of an inducible promoter and wherein the inducible promoter is induced if the complex of the at least one protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence and the marker molecule indicating the presence of said microorganism is below a threshold concentration and is not induced if the complex of the at least one protein encoded by the first nucleotide sequence and the marker molecule indicating the presence of said microorganism exceeds a threshold concentration. Further encompassed is the use of the expression system and cells comprising the expression system of the invention.

Novel insecticidal proteins isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis that are active against lepidopteran insect pests are disclosed. The DNA encoding the insecticidal proteins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the insecticidal proteins. These recombinant organisms can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.