A seed coating composition comprising a mixture of a fungal root endophyte isolated from a root of the plant found in low-nutrient, drought-stressed or multiply-stressed conditions and a carrier medium for application of said composition to a target seed, wherein the endophyte is characterised in having a nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nr ITS) with at least a 90% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3 to 15.

The present disclosure relates to a composition including an extract from an Acidithiobacillus bacteria or a yeast extracted after exposure of the bacteria to UV radiation. The disclosure further relates to a method of preparing a UV-blocking composition by exposing a culture of Acidithiobacillus or yeast to UV radiation and extracting UV-blocking cellular material produced in response to the UV radiation from the Acidithiobacillus or yeast. The disclosure further relates to a method of protecting an item from UV radiation damage by extracting UV-blocking cellular material from Acidithiobacillus or yeast exposed to UV radiation and covering the item with the UV-blocking cellular material. The disclosure further relates to a UV-resistant yeast cell and a UV-resistant bacterial cell.

The present invention relates to a method of enhancing growth conditions for plants by growing the plants in soil containing, in proximity to the plant roots, both a phosphorus source and at least two strains of the fungus Penicillium, particularly P. bilaiae, more particularly strains NRRL 50162 and NRRL 50169.

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 application relates to compositions for enhancing plant growth, comprising at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO) compound; and one beneficial microorganism selected from Streptomyces, Trichoderma or Bacillus and optionally further pesticide and to the methods for enhancing plant growth and treating seeds with said 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.

A bio-stimulant composition for obtaining improved plant growth, either combined or uncombined with urea and/or other agricultural compounds, as well of methods of producing and using said composition.

The present invention relates to a novel monascuspurpurone compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof as described in the specification, the process for preparation of the same, and the composition comprising the same. The uses of a monascuspurpurone compound for promoting adipocyte differentiation, for increasing the activity of PPARγ and/or C/EBPα, for lowering blood glucose, for preventing and/or treating a disease or disorder related to insulin resistance, and for preventing and/or treating metabolic syndrome or its complications are also provided.

A method for preparing a solid Trichoderma seed from direct fermentation of crop straws with Trichoderma, and a product prepared by using the same. The method includes adding a liquid amino acid to the crop straws, adjusting the initial pH to 3.0-4.0, and inoculating a liquid Trichoderma seed for solid fermentation. An acidity that allows Trichoderma to grow and multiply rapidly and inhibits the growth of other non-target fungi is established in the material by adjusting its pH value, an optimum nutritional formula for Trichoderma is screened out, and an inexpensive proprietary process for preparing a solid Trichoderma seed through fermentation is established. 1% of the solid Trichoderma seed is added to a matured compost, which allows the density of Trichoderma spores in the Trichoderma amended bioorganic fertilizer to reach above 5×10.sup.7 spores/g, and the production increasing effect is considerable after the Trichoderma amended bioorganic fertilizer is applied.