Inoculants and methods for use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for enhancing at least one growth parameter of a leguminous plant via co-inoculation of a leguminous plant with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism. In further aspects, the present invention also relates to leguminous plants co-inoculated with at least one rhizobial microorganism together with at least one actinobacterial microorganism, as well as specific actinobacterial strains and inoculant compositions which are useful in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing at least one growth parameter of a leguminous plant grown from a leguminous seed, the method comprising co-inoculating the leguminous seed with: a. at least one rhizobial microorganism; and b. at least one Streptomyces microorganism comprising a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to one or more of: SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 8; wherein the plant grown from the co-inoculated leguminous seed exhibits at least one enhanced growth parameter relative to a leguminous plant grown from a seed of the same taxon that has not been co-inoculated and wherein the co-inoculation comprises coating the leguminous seed with a first formulation comprising at least about 200 individual cells of the Streptomyces microorganism.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rhizobial microorganism is a Rhizobium sp.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 5.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first formulation comprises about 200-2000 individual cells of the Streptomyces microorganism.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first formulation comprises an additive.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the additive is xanthan gum, and wherein the amount of xanthan gum in the first formulation is 0.3% w/v.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the co-inoculating comprises co-inoculating the seed with a second formulation comprising the rhizobial microorganism.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second formulation comprises about less than 5×10.sup.4 CFUs of the rhizobial microorganism, and wherein the leguminous plant grown from the leguminous seed comprises about 20% more nodules than a control plant grown from a control seed of the same taxon that is singly inoculated with the same amount of the rhizobial microorganism.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second formulation comprises about 5×10.sup.2 CFUs of the rhizobial microorganism, and wherein a leguminous plant grown from the leguminous seed comprises about 50% more nodules than a control plant grown from a control seed of the same taxon that is singly inoculated with the same amount of the rhizobial microorganism.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the rhizobial microorganism is a Sinorhizobium sp.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the rhizobial microorganism is a Bradyrhizobium sp.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 5.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the leguminous seed is a seed of a leguminous plant selected from the group consisting of: Medicago sp., Trifolium sp., Pisum sp., and Glycine sp.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence is 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the growth parameter is a number and/or mass of nodules of the leguminous plant.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the growth parameter is a number and/or mass of seed pods and/or seed produced by the leguminous plant.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the growth parameter is a concentration and/or amount of a nutrient in the leguminous plant.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the nutrient is selected from: Boron, Calcium, Copper, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Sodium, Sulphur, Nitrogen and/or Zinc.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the growth parameter is a germination rate of a leguminous plant.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the leguminous plant is selected from the group consisting of: Medicago sp., Trifolium sp., Pisum sp., and Glycine sp.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the leguminous plant is exposed to a pathogen and, when exposed to the pathogen, the co-inoculated leguminous plant has at least one enhanced growth parameter relative to a leguminous plant of the same taxon that has not been co-inoculated.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the pathogen is a root pathogen.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the pathogen is a fungal pathogen.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the pathogen is a Rhizoctonia sp.

26. A leguminous plant reproductive material co-inoculated with: a. at least one rhizobial microorganism; and b. at least one Streptomyces microorganism selected from Streptomyces sp. LuP30 as deposited under NMI accession number V13/030101 or Streptomyces sp. LuP47B as deposited under NMI accession number V13/030100, wherein the leguminous plant reproductive material is coated with a first formulation comprising at least about 200 individual cells of the Streptomyces microorganism.

27. A method comprising: co-inoculating a leguminous seed with: a. at least one rhizobial microorganism; and b. at least one Streptomyces microorganism comprising a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to one or more of: SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 8; wherein the co-inoculation comprises coating the leguminous seed with a first formulation comprising at least about 200 individual cells of the Streptomyces microorganism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND TABLES

(1) FIG. 1 shows the cultivable actinobacterial endoflora isolated from roots and nodules of different legumes—including pea, lucerne, clover and medics.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the beneficial effects of endophytic actinobacteria on germination of lucerne seeds on agar plates after 36 hours incubation. The plate on the left shows surface-sterilised seeds with 0.85% saline; the plant on the right shows surface-sterilised seeds coated with a spore suspension of LuP83 in 0.85% saline.

(3) FIG. 3 shows indole acetic acid production by selected endophytic actinobacteria.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the stimulation of the growth of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain WSM 1325 and Bradyrhizobium lupini strain WSM 471 by two actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B after 5 days growth of the rhizobia on YMA medium at different concentrations of Rhizobium. Panel A—From top to bottom and left to right: WSM 1325 at 2 weeks old with 10.sup.3 CFU per plate; LuP30 plugs on WSM 1325 with bigger colonies; WSM 471 at 7 days old with 10.sup.5 CFU per plate (A) ISP2 control plugs, (B) LuP47B plugs and (C) LuP30 plugs; WSM 1325 at 7 days old with 10.sup.5 CFU per plate. Panel B—From right to left images the increase of the growth of two rhizobia when closer to the plug of LuP30 or LuP47B shown under microscopy.

(5) FIGS. 5A-5D shows enhanced plant growth, nodule sizes and nitrogen fixation in lucerne plants co-inoculated with selected endophytic actinobacteria and S. meliloti RRI128. (Rhi.=Rhizobium RRI128). FIGS. 5A and 5B show plants and nodules in the seventh week after adding the rhizobia. FIGS. 5C and 5D show plants and nodules in 45 days after adding the rhizobia.

(6) FIG. 6 shows the total nitrogen fixed in the shoots of lucerne inoculated with endophytic actinobacteria EN23, LuP30 and LuP47B together with Rhizobium RRI128.

(7) FIG. 7 shows the effect of endophytic actinobacteria on the symbiosis of rhizobia and lucerne under nutrient limited conditions. Two surface sterilised lucerne seeds were sown into 65 g of autoclaved washed sand in a 50 ml tube containing 10 mls of McKnight's+N starter (300 mg for 20 L) was added at day 0 and MQ water as required later. One seedling was kept in each tube with 12 h light and 12 h dark and five replicates for each treatment. One ml (around 10.sup.8 cfu/ml) of the S. meliloti RRI 128 was added into each seedling for treatment plants after 6 days, and the plants were grown up to 7 weeks. Left plants were inoculated with RRI 128 only while right plants were co-applied with LuP5B and RRI 128

(8) FIG. 8 shows the response of lucerne plants co-inoculated with LuP30 or LuP47B and different concentrations of S. meliloti RRI 128. Panel A is a graphical representation showing shoot, root and total plant dry weights after three weeks at three rhizobia concentrations: (A) 5×10.sup.2, (B) 5×10.sup.4, (C) 5×10.sup.6 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1. Error bars: Mean±S.E. Panel B is a photograph of representative lucerne plants in tubes three weeks after inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128 at 5×10.sup.2 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1. Left—S. meliloti RRI 128 alone; right—S. meliloti RRI 128 plus LuP30.

(9) FIG. 9 is a graphical representation showing lucerne shoot dry weight response by impact of LuP30 and LuP47B after 10, 21 and 35 days inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128. Asterisks indicate significant differences at P<0.05 (*) or P<0.01 (**).

(10) FIG. 10 is a graphical representation showing accumulation of N (.sup.14N and .sup.15N) in lucerne plants inoculated with rhizobia and actinobacteria.

(11) FIG. 11 is a graphical representation showing the effects of LuP30 and LuP47B on growth and nodulation of clover when co-inoculated with Rhizobium WSM 1325. Asterisks indicate significant differences at p≤0.05 (*) or p≤0.01 (**).

(12) TABLE 1 shows indole acetic acid production and phosphate solubilising activity of selected endophytic actinobacteria. (+) positive production; (−) no production.

(13) TABLE 2 shows in-vitro interaction assay results between selected endophytic actinobacteria and three different rhizobia at various concentrations. (++) positive effects on growth of the Rhizobium; (+) slightly positive effects (0) neutral effect on growth of the Rhizobium; (−) slightly negative effects on growth of the Rhizobium; (−−) negative effects on growth of the Rhizobium.

(14) TABLE 3 shows the effects of six endophytic actinobacteria isolated from healthy wheat roots on the symbiosis of RRI128 and lucerne plants after seven weeks from planting. Seeds were coated with six different actinobacteria in 0.3% xanthan gum one day before planting. Inoculation with the RRI128 strain occurred five days after planting. (n=5 pots, 4 plants per pot).

(15) TABLE 4 shows the effects of endophytic actinobacteria on the symbiosis of rhizobia strain RRI128 and lucerne plants after 45 days from planting. Seeds were coated with six different actinobacteria in 0.3% xanthan gum one day before planting. Inoculation with the RRI128 strain occurred five days after planting. (n=10 pots, 4 plants per pot).

(16) TABLE 5 shows the effects of endophytic actinobacteria, EN23, LuP30 and LuP47B on symbiosis of the rhizobia strain RRI128 and lucerne in terms of nitrogen content and trace elements in lucerne shoots at 45 days old.

(17) TABLE 6 shows the effects of endophytic actinobacteria on symbiosis of RRI128 and lucerne plants after seven weeks from planting in nutrient limited conditions. Seeds were coated with six different actinobacteria in 0.3% xanthan gum one day before planting. Inoculation of the RRI128 strain occurred five days after planting (n=5 tubes, 1 plant per tube).

(18) TABLE 7 shows the effect of actinobacterial and rhizobial coinoculation on Rhizoctonia root rot of lucerne plants and growth characteristics of shoot and root dry weights.

(19) TABLE 8 shows 16S rRNA gene sequence identities of selected endophytic actinobacteria using BLASTN on GenBank.

(20) TABLE 9 shows plant responses due to treatment with Streptomyces spp. EN23, LuP30 and LuP47B alone or co-inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128 at 7 weeks after planting (n=4). Control.sup.a: uninoculated plants; Control.sup.b: plants inoculated only with S. meliloti RRI 128; (A)=3 ppm N, (B)=25 ppm N, (C)=50 ppm N; Asterisks indicate significant differences at P<0.05 (*) or P<0.01 (**).

(21) TABLE 10 shows the effect of actinobacteria and soil N on nodule number per lucerne plant at 4 and 7 weeks after inoculated (n=4). Different letters in the same column indicate means are significantly different (P<0.05).

(22) TABLE 11 shows the effects of LuP30 and LuP47B on the number of nodules per Lucerne plant after 3 weeks inoculation with different concentrations of S. meliloti RRI 128. (n=4) Means±SE.

(23) TABLE 12 shows lucerne shoot dry weight in response to co-inoculation with LuP30 or LuP47B and S. meliloti RRI 128 after 10, 21 and 35 days at 25 ppm N (.sup.15NH.sub.4.sup.15NO.sub.3). Asterisks indicate significant differences at p<0.05.

(24) TABLE 13 shows the accumulation of N (.sup.14 N and .sup.15N) in the shoot and root of lucerne plants inoculated with rhizobia and actinobacteria (n=4). Different letters in the same column indicate means are significantly different (P<0.05).

(25) TABLE 14 shows the growth and nodulation response of clover to LuP30 and LuP47B after 4 and 7 weeks co-inoculation with Rhizobium WSM 1325, (n=4). Different letters in the same column indicate means are significantly different (P<0.05).

(26) TABLE 15 shows the effects of two actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B on the growth of two rhizobial strains on agar plates at three concentrations after 7 days. (++) positive effects on rhizobial growth visible as a zone of increased growth around the actinobacterial plug; (+) slightly positive effects, a smaller zone of increased growth around the actinobacterial plug; (0) neutral effect.

(27) TABLE 16 shows the growth and nodulation of soybean (Glycine max cv. Djackal) in response to co-inoculation with each of four strains of actinobacteria and Bradyrhizobium strain CB 1809, 4 weeks after inoculation.

(28) TABLE 17 shows the effect of actinobacteria on the elemental content of soy shoots (amount per plant).

(29) TABLE 18 shows the effect of endophytic actinobacteria (Streptomyces spp. LuP8, LuP3, LuP44 and LuP47B in combination with Bradyrhizobium strain CB1809) and 25 mg NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 per kg soil on soybean growth, nodulation and seeds after 7 weeks inoculation with the rhizobia (n=4). Different letters in the same column indicate means are significantly different (P<0.05). Rhi=Bradyrhizobium sp. CB1809.

(30) TABLE 19 shows nodule number, nodule weight, pod number and total plant biomass in pea plants grown in field trials at three sites (Riverton SA, Hart SA and Pimpinio Vic).

EXAMPLE 1—MATERIALS AND METHODS

Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Actinobacteria

(31) Four different legumes including lucerne, pea, clover and medics were collected from different places and picked randomly at various stages of growth around South Australia. Different media used for isolation of endophytic actinobacteria were Humic acid Vitamin B agar (HV; Masayuki and Hideo, Journal of Fermentation Technology 65(5): 501-509, 1987), yeast extract-casein hydrolysate agar (YECD), tryptic soy agar (TSA) (Oxoid Limited, UK), tap water yeast extract agar (TWYE), all at pH of 7.2±0.2. Benomyl (DuPont Qualicon, Wilmington, Del. USA) was added to each agar medium at a final concentration of 50 μg.Math.ml.sup.−1 to control fungal growth.

(32) The plants were washed under running tap water to remove dust and soil attached to the roots and nodules. The roots and nodules were separated from the plants and air-dried overnight at room temperature. The dry roots and nodules were surface sterilized following the method of Coombs and Franco (Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 69: 5603-5608, 2003). The surface sterilization process started by washing with absolute ethanol for 1 minute, followed by 6 minutes in 4% NaOCl, 30 seconds in absolute ethanol and a final wash with autoclaved R.O. water.

(33) Surface sterilized nodules were snipped out from the roots and crushed in 0.9% saline until forming a homogenous mixture. The nodule suspension was spread onto the surface of at least three different isolation media. The sterilized roots were air dried before being cut into approximately 1 cm fragments by a blade or scissors, and placed onto the different media plates. Plates were incubated at 27° C. and 37° C.

(34) The plates were checked regularly at least once per week from the first week until new single colonies could not be found. When colonies appeared, they were transferred to half strength potato dextrose agar (HPDA) for purification. The single colonies were transferred onto three different media such as HPDA, oatmeal agar (ISP3) and mannitol soybean agar (MS) to distinguish them based on their different morphologies, colour and pigments produced (media recipes all per Atlas, Handbook of Microbiological Media, 1993).

Actinobacteria, Sinorhizobium Meliloti and Lucerne Seeds

(35) Lucerne seeds named ‘SARDI Ten’ and Sinorhizobium meliloti RRI128 (referred to as RRI128), which is a commercial inoculant for lucerne, were supplied by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI). Seeds chosen for planting were similar in size and weight. Five endophytic actinobacteria (EN2, EN16, EN23, EN27, EN46) which were isolated from healthy wheat root and demonstrated to benefit plant growth of some cereals (see Patent Cooperation Treaty publication WO2005/003328, incorporated herein by reference), together with 148 endophytic actinobacteria isolated from different legumes, were tested both in vitro and in planta.

Effects of Endophytic Actinobacteria on Germination of Lucerne—on Agar

(36) Lucerne seeds were placed in Petri dishes (usually 2-3 times the required amount) and surface sterilized by the following method: 30 seconds in 70% (v/v) ethanol, 2-3 minutes in 3% (v/v) hypochlorite solution, rinsed three times in autoclaved R.O. water, remaining in the third rinse for 10 minutes then left under the laminar flow to dry. Five sterilized seeds were put on a McKnight's solution 1% agar plate with one drop of an isolated actinobacteria suspension (200-2000 cells) applied to each seed while the control seeds received one drop of 0.9% saline. The plates were left under a 14 hour light cycle per day at room temperature (20-30° C.) for 2 weeks. The number of germinated seeds and the length of roots were recorded.

Effects of Endophytic Actinobacteria on Germination of Lucerne—in Sandy Loam

(37) Lucerne seeds were also sterilized as described above and the sandy loam was autoclaved at 121° C. for 15 minutes. Twelve percent moisture sandy loam was made by adding McKnight's solution before adding 300 g of sandy loam with 20 sterilized seeds to a small basket, 10 cm wide and 20 cm length. The seeds were sown with actinobacterial suspension applied on the top before slightly covering with sandy loam. The baskets were kept under a 14 hour light/10 hour dark cycle at room temperature (20-30° C.) for 2 weeks. The number of seeds germinated was recorded, and when germinated, the length of the roots was measured. A total of 148 well-sporulating actinobacteria were tested.

IAA Production

(38) The ability of the endophytic actinobacteria to produce IAA was examined following the method of Khanma et al. (World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 25: 649-655, 2009). A 6 mm diameter plug of actinobacteria which was grown on ISP2 for 5-7 days was transferred into 5 ml of yeast malt extract (YME) containing 0.2% L-Tryptophan. The broth was shaken at 125 rpm for 7 days at 27° C. before centrifuging 1 ml of broth at 11,000 rpm for 15 min. The mixture of 0.5 ml supernatant and 1 ml Salkowski reagent (12 g of FeCl.sub.3 per litre of 7.9 M H.sub.2SO.sub.4) was mixed well and kept in the dark for 30 minutes. The IAA production activity was measured using optical density (OD) at 530 nm. YME broth without L-tryptophan was used as the base line and pure IAA (Sigma) with different concentrations were used to make a standard curve.

Phosphate Solubilisation Activity

(39) The phosphate solubilisation ability of selected isolates was detected following the method described by Beneduzi et al. (Applied Soil Ecology 39: 311-320, 2008). The actinobacteria isolates were inoculated on glucose yeast (GY) medium that contained 10 g of glucose, 2 g of yeast extract and 1.5% agar in 1 L of distilled water. Two solutions were added to the medium, the first was 5 g of K.sub.2HPO.sub.4 in 50 ml distilled water and the second solution was 10 g of CaCl.sub.2 in 100 ml of distilled water. These two solutions were autoclaved separately and added into the GY medium before pouring into plates. These two solutions changed the colour of the GY medium to white opaque showing the presence of insoluble calcium phosphate. A positive reaction was demonstrated by the presence of a clear zone in the area surrounding the isolates.

Antagonism Tests

(40) Rhizobial strains were grown on yeast mannitol agar (YMA; Graham, Applied Microbiology 17(5): 769-770, 1969) plates or slants for 3-5 days before harvesting. The rhizobial strains were harvested and serially diluted in 0.9% saline. The OD at 600 nm of the rhizobial solutions was checked and the number of colony-forming units was counted following the method of Miles and Misra (Journal Hygiene 38: 732-749, 1938). At the same time 100 μl of these serial dilutions at different OD values were spread onto YMA plates and allowed to dry. Two plugs about 25 mm.sup.2 of each actinobacterial strain grown on International Streptomyces Project 2 (ISP2; Atlas, Handbook of Microbiological Media, 1993) medium for 7 days were placed on the surface of the inoculated YMA plates. The plates were incubated for 5-7 days at 27° C. and checked daily for antagonistic activity against the rhizobia. Rhizobia and the actinobacteria that were grown separately as pure cultures on YMA plates were used as negative controls. Streptomycin, vancomycin and were used as positive antibacterial controls. All treatments were replicated twice and incubated at 27° C.

Interaction Between Endophytic Actinobacteria and Rhizobium on Lucerne

(41) Lucerne seeds were surface-sterilized as described above and sown in autoclaved pots. Each pot contained about 1 kg of sand and vermiculite mixture, and had two separate parts to allow easy drainage. Five and 148 endophytic actinobacteria isolated from surface-sterilized healthy wheat roots and surface-sterilized healthy root and nodules of four different legumes such as lucerne, pea, clover and medics, respectively, were coated on the surface of the lucerne seeds in a 0.3% (w/v) sterile xanthan gum solution. 100 ml of MQ water was added to each pot before planting the ten coated seeds. The top of the pot was covered with a thin layer of granulated plastic beads. Then, 200 mL of 1/80 McKnight's solution containing starter nitrogen (266 mg NH.sub.4NO per 20 L McKnight's solution) was gently added to each pot before covering with freezer bags and placing in the glasshouse. The number of seedlings was thinned down to four plants before adding 1 ml of Rhizobium RRI128 around 10.sup.8 CFU/ml at five days from planting. Every week 50 ml of nitrogen solution (1.2 g.Math.L.sup.−1 of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3) was applied to each pot for nitrogen-treated plants and MQ water was added as required.

(42) All treatments were replicated ten times completely randomized in the glasshouse, with the position of the pots changed randomly every week. The plants were harvested after the sixth to seventh week from sowing. The parameters examined were height and dry weight of the shoot, length and dry weight of the root, the number and dry weight of nodules per plant. Nodules were removed, counted and dried at 60° C. Dry weight of each nodule was calculated by dividing total nodule weight by total nodule number of two plants with five replicates.

SPAD 502 Readings, Total Nitrogen Analysis and N.SUB.2 .Fixed in the Shoots

(43) During the sixth week, leaves of lucerne plants were measured by a SPAD 502 meter (Chlorophyll meter SPAD-502, Konica Minolta) designed to indicate the amount of chlorophyll present in plant leaves. The three biggest leaves were checked to get SPAD readings. Moreover, dry leaves of control plants (only treated with Sinorhizobium), and plants treated with Rhizobium and EN23 and EN27, LuP30 and LuP47B harvested in the seventh week were analysed for the content of nitrogen and other elements. The leaves were dried at 60° C. for 48 h to obtain constant weight and were ground to about 1 mm in size for analysis.

(44) N.sub.2 fixation associated with the shoots was calculated by the following equation:
N.sub.2 fixed in the shoots=(% N*SDW).sub.treatment−(% N*SDW).sub.uninoculated

Nutrient Limitation Experiment

(45) Lucerne seeds were surface sterilized and coated with actinobacteria as described above. Two coated seeds were sown in a 50 ml centrifuge tube containing 65 g of autoclaved washed sand and 10 ml of McKnight's starter N (0.133 mg) added five times less than compared with normal 0.665 mg per plant in pot assays. This was then covered by sand and plastic beads. The number of seedlings was thinned down to one seedling before inoculating with 10.sup.8 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 RRI128 suspension. The tubes were kept inside the growth chamber with a 12 h light and 12 h dark cycle. Water was supplied as required until 7 weeks.

DNA Extraction

(46) In a sterile 1.5 ml eppendorf tube 10 μl of lysozyme was added to 500 μl of Tris-EDTA (TE) pH 7.4, before re-suspending 2-3 loops of actinobacterial cells into the mixture, which was then vortexed and spun later. The eppendorf tube was incubated at 37° C. for 60 minutes before adding 10 μl of proteinase K and 32.5 μl of 10% SDS and incubated at 55° C. for 60 minutes. Next, 100 μl of 5M NaCl and 65 μl of CTAB/NaCl were added and the mixture was incubated at 55° C. for 10 minutes. Six hundred microlitres of phenolchloroform was added and the tube was left at room temperature for 30 minutes with intermittent shaking every 10 minutes. After centrifuging at 12,000 rpm for 15 minutes, the supernatant was transferred to a new sterile 1.5 ml eppendorf tube. An additional 500 μl of chloroform was added to the tube and left at room temperature for 15 minutes with mixing by inversion every 7-8 minutes before centrifuging at 12,000 rpm for 15 minutes. The aqueous phase was transferred into a new sterile 1.5 ml eppendorf tube before adding 20 μl of 10 mg.Math.ml.sup.−1 RNAse and incubating at 37° C. for 60 minutes. Then 500 μl of chloroform was added and the tube left at room temperature for 15 minutes. After centrifuging at 12,000 rpm for 15 minutes, the supernatant was transferred to a new sterile 1.5 ml eppendorf tube. An additional 500 μl of chloroform was added and the tube left at room temperature for 15 minutes (with mixing by inversion every 7-8 minutes). After centrifuging at 12,000 rpm for 15 minutes, the supernatant was transferred to a new sterile 1.5 ml eppendorf tube (steps repeated). A 0.1×volume of 3M Na Acetate (50 μl) and 3×volume of 100% ethanol (1 ml) was added to the tube before leaving at −20° C. overnight. The supernatant was removed carefully so as not to disrupt the pellet after centrifuging at the maximum speed 16,000 rpm for 15 minutes. The pellet was washed twice with 70% ethanol and dried by placing tubes in a heating block at 55° C. with the lids open for approximately 10 minutes. Finally, the pellet was re-suspended in 50 μl of sterile water.

PCR of 16S rRNA Gene

(47) A master mixture was prepared as 1 μl of dNTPs (10 mM), 1 μl of DNA Taq polymerase (5 U/μl), 5 μl of ThermoPol buffer, 2 μl of 27f primer (AGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG; SEQ ID NO: 1), 2 μl of 1465r primer (TACGGYTACCTTGTTACGACTT; SEQ ID NO: 2), 2 μl of DNA sample and 37 μl of injection water. PCR was performed by heating the PCR tubes at 94° C. for 2 minutes, followed by 40 cycles of 94° C. for one minute, 52° C. for one minute and 72° C. for two minutes, and 72° C. for 10 minutes. A 1.2% agarose gel containing 3 μl of GelRed (Biotium) in 40 ml agarose was used to separate the molecular weight of the PCR products. One microlitre of loading dye was mixed well with 2 μl of each PCR product before loading the gel, which was run in a running buffer 0.5×TBE at 70 V and 400 mA for 60 minutes. The products of PCR were sequenced by Macrogen, Korea. The resultant 16S rRNA sequences were compared to the GenBank database by using the National Centre for Biotechnology Information database (NCBI) BLASTN program, including the results of the highest matches for each isolate and the corresponding bit score and percentage identity.

EXAMPLE 2—ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOBACTERIA

(48) 225 endophytic actinobacteria were isolated from roots and nodules of pea, lucerne, clover and medic. 73 were from nodules and 152 were from roots. Based on their morphology, 126 cultures (56%) belong to the genus Streptomyces, 54 (24%) belong to Microbispora, 20 (8.89%) belong to Micromonospora and 25 cultures are as yet unidentified. Humid acid vitamin B agar (HV), yeast extract casein dextrose (YECD) and tap water yeast extract (TWYE) media successfully allowed growth of almost all of the isolates mentioned. 125 cultures were isolated from HV medium, 72 cultures were from TWYE, 26 were from YECD and one of them was isolated from TSA. There was not much difference in the number of cultures isolated at 37° C. and 27° C., which were 125 and 112 cultures, respectively. Eighty five cultures were isolated from roots of lucerne, while 65 isolates were from pea (42 from roots and 23 from nodules), 37 cultures were from clover (16 from roots and 26 from nodules) and 35 were from medics (12 from roots and 23 from nodules). Thirty two out of the 73 isolates from nodules were Streptomyces, 17 were Microbispora, 5 were Micromonospora and 19 were unidentified.

EXAMPLE 3—EFFECTS OF ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOBACTERIA ON GERMINATION OF LUCERNE, IAA PRODUCTION AND PHOSPHATE SOLUBILISATION

(49) Fifty six of 148 cultures (38%) isolated from lucerne promoted germination of lucerne seeds and 27 (18%) isolates negatively affected germination of lucerne seeds in terms of number of seeds germinated and length of roots on agar plates. In addition, 39 of 148 cultures improved germination of lucerne seeds with the presence of Rhizobium on sandy loam.

(50) As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, a range of endophytic actinobacteria showed the ability to produce IAA. Table 1 also identifies cultures that were found to have phosphate solubilisation ability. They were LuP5B, LuP44 and LuP8A.

EXAMPLE 4—ANTAGONISM TESTING

(51) Two concentrations of rhizobia were tested for antagonism with 14 endophytic actinobacteria; five non-legume-isolated and nine legume-isolated cultures. As shown in Table 2, most of the endophytic actinobacteria had neutral or positive effects on growth of three rhizobia RRI128, SRDI736, WSM1115G, except for LuP10, EN28 and EN46. LuP10 increased growth of the RRI128 but inhibited growth of SRDI736 and WSM1115G, whereas LuP3, LuP30 and LuP47B increased growth of the three rhizobia at the various concentrations.

(52) As shown in FIG. 4, LuP30 and LuP47B showed significant rhizobial growth stimulation Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii strain WSM 1325 and Bradyrhizobium lupini strain WSM 471.

EXAMPLE 5—EFFECTS OF SIX ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM NON-LEGUMES

(53) As shown in Table 3, some endophytic actinobacteria isolated from wheat roots showed beneficial interactions with the RRI128-inoculated lucerne plants while some were neutral, with no significant impacts on different parameters. EN2 significantly increased the fresh and dry weight of the shoot as well as the length of the root, while EN23 increased not only height, fresh and dry weight of the shoot but also length and fresh weight of the root. In particular, the average height of the shoot plants receiving combined treatment of RRI128 and EN23 was 15.2 cm, whilst plants treated with RRI128 only was 12.55 cm. EN23 increased the shoot height of the plant by 21.1%. Moreover, EN23 significantly increased the dry weight of each nodule, the total dry weight of nodules, nitrogen content of the plant as well as total nitrogen per plant, though it did not significantly increase the number of nodules per plant. Total mass per plant treated with EN23 increased by 25.7% compared with plants treated with the Rhizobium only control.

(54) Treatment with EN27 resulted in slight increases in height, fresh and dry weight of the shoot, and fresh and dry weight of the root. Although EN27 significantly reduced the number of nodules, the fresh weight of each nodule and the total dry weight of nodules per plant were higher than that of RRI128 only plants. Furthermore, EN27 also significantly increased the SPAD readings, nitrogen content (% N.sub.2) and total nitrogen per plant. EN23 and EN27 increased the amount of N.sub.2 fixed in the shoots, by 0.85 and 0.80 mg per plant, respectively, compared with the RRI128 only plants (Table 3). In contrast, EN16 significantly reduced the number of nodules and total dry weight of nodules per plant after seven weeks from planting. EN28 and EN46 had no significant effect on the growth of lucerne plants with the RRI128. Nitrogen content was 2.725% of mass for the control, 3.225% of mass for EN23-treated and 3.65% for EN27-treated plants. There was 1.38 mg of total N per control plant, while EN23 and EN27-treated plants had 2.23 mg and 2.18 mg total N, respectively.

EXAMPLE 6—EFFECTS OF ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM LEGUMES

(55) The interactions between Rhizobium RRI128 and 148 cultures isolated from legumes were screened in terms of plant growth and nitrogen fixation. LuP47B and LuP30 showed beneficial effects on the symbiosis of Rhizobium and lucerne, with increased height of shoot, mass of shoot and plant and nitrogen fixation per plant. As shown in Table 4, treatment with these cultures led to an increase of 35.33% and 24.87% of shoot dry weight and 29.91% and 25.87% of total mass per plant, respectively. LuP47B also increased the height of the shoot significantly, up to 26.25%. Although LuP30 did not significantly promote the height of the shoot, it developed a longer root compared with plants treated with RRI128 only. In contrast, LuP10 increased the root biomass instead of root length.

(56) As shown in Table 5, the combination of Rhizobium RRI128 and EN23 significantly increased copper, phosphorous, sodium and nitrogen content in the shoot compared with the RRI128 alone. LuP30 and LuP47B treatment resulted in a significant increase all of the trace elements tested, except iron with the presence of the RRI128. Although the shoot dry weight of plants inoculated with the RRI128 and LuP30 was less than that of plants treated with RRI128 and LuP47B they showed higher amounts of copper, iron and zinc compared with LuP47B. EN23, LuP30 and LuP47B also increased nitrogen content in the shoot, with 0.35, 0.61 and 0.83 mg per each shoot, respectively (see FIG. 6).

EXAMPLE 7—EFFECTS OF ENDOPHYTIC ACTINOBACTERIA ON SYMBIOSIS OF RHIZOBIA AND LUCERNE WITH LIMITATION OF NUTRIENT SUPPLY

(57) As shown in Table 6 and FIG. 7, in limited nutrient conditions LuP5B significantly increased all growth parameters, such as height of shoot, length of root, shoot and root dry weight, except for number of nodules. LuP47B treatment resulted in increased length of root and shoot dry weight but LuP30 did not increase other parameters of plant growth. Although LuP12A increased root dry weight, it did not promote root length. In contrast, LuP3 increased the length of root but it did not increase the root dry weight (Table 6).

EXAMPLE 8—BIOCONTROL ACTIVITY IN PLANTA

(58) Fifty milliliter centrifugal tubes were used to screen for the biocontrol ability of actinobacterial strains against the fungal root pathogen Rhizoctonia. Forty five grams of autoclaved sandy loam were used at a 12% moisture content added as McKnight's starter nitrogen (266 mg of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3) solution. Two millet seeds infected with R. solani AG8 strain W19 were added at the top of the sandy loam, and a further 10 g of soil containing 12% moisture was added to cover the millet seeds. Two tubes without adding the infested millet seeds with the pathogen and without endophytic actinobacteria were as used as controls. The tubes were placed in a rack covered with aluminium foil and placed in a chamber for two weeks at 15° C. in the absence of light.

(59) Lucerne seeds were surface-sterilized and pre-germinated with actinobacterial suspensions on autoclaved moist filter paper in petri dishes. When the roots were about 1-3 mm length they were dipped in 5 ml (to cover all the seeds) of the rhizobial suspension (approximately 10.sup.8 cfu/ml) for 3 minutes. Two pre-germinated and coated seeds were transferred into each 50 ml tube and covered with 5 g of soil (12% moisture) and a layer of plastic beads. The tubes were kept at 15° C. in a growth chamber for 3 weeks. There were two replicates of each treatment, and MQ water was added as required. The number of seedlings that emerged, the length of root and root damage were recorded.

(60) Results of the biocontrol assay are shown in Table 7.

EXAMPLE 9—IDENTIFICATION OF ACTINOBACTERIA USING 16S RRNA GENE SEQUENCING

(61) LuP3, LuP12A, LuP30, LuP47B, EN23, EN27, LuP8 and LuP44 were putatively identified as Streptomyces sp. by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

(62) The determined 16S rRNA gene sequences for each organism were as follows:

(63) TABLE-US-00002 Sequence Isolate 16S rRNA gene sequence (5′-3′) Identifier LuP3 GTGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGCAA SEQ ID NO: 3 TCTGCCCTTCACTCTGGGACAAGCCCTGGAAACGGGGTC TAATACCGGATAATACTTTCTCCCTCCTGGGAGAAGGTT GAAAGCTCCGGCGGTGAAGGATGAGCCCGCGGCCTATC AGCTAGTTGGTGGGGTAATGGCCTACCAAGGCGACGAC GGGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGA CTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTG GGGAATATTGCACAATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGA CGCCGCGTGAGGGATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCT CTTTCAGCAGGGAAGAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCA GAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGT AATACGTAGGGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGC GTAAAGAGCTCGTAGGCGGCTTGTCACGTCGGTTGTGA AAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCCCGGGTCTGCAGTCGATACGG GCAGGCTAGAGTGTGGTAGGGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGG TGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCG GTGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCTGGGCCATTACTGACGCTGA GGAGCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACC CTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGTTGGGAACTAAGGTGT TGGCGACATTCCACGTCGTCGGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCAT TAAGTTCCCGCCTGGGGGAGTACGGCCGCAAGGCTAAA CTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCAGCGGAG CATGTGGCTTAATTCGACGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACC AAGGCTTGACATACACCGGAAAGCATCAGAGATGGTGC CCCCCTTGTGGTCGGTGTACAGGTGGTGCATGGCTGTCG TCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAAC GAGCGCAACCCTTGTTCTGTGTTGCCAGCATGCCCTTCG GGGTGATGGGGACTCACAGGAGACTGCCGGGGTCAACT CGGAGGAAGGTGGGGACGACGTCAAGTCATCATGCCCC TTATGTCTTGGGCTGCACACGTGCTACAATGGCCGGTAC AATGAGCTGCGATGCCGCGAGGCGGAGCGAATCTCAAA AAGCCGGTCTCAGTTCGGATTGGGGTCTGCAACTCGACC CCATGAAGTCGGAGTTGCTAGTAATCGCAGATCAGCAT TGCTGCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGCCTTGTACACACCGC CCGTCACGTCACGAAAGTCGGTAACACCCGAAGCCG LuP12A GATGAACCACTTCGGTGGGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGGTG SEQ ID NO: 4 AGTAACACGTGGGCAATCTGCCCTTCACTCTGGGACAA GCCCTGGAAACGGGGTCTAATACCGGATACCACTACCG CAGGCATCTGTGGTGGTTGAAAGCTCCGGCGGTGAAGG ATGAGCCCGCGGCCTATCAAGGTTGTTGGTGAGGTAAT GGCTCACCAAGGCGACGACGGGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGG GCGACCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGACT CCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTGCACAATGGG CGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGACGCCGCGTGAGGGATGACG GCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCTCTTTCAGCAGGGAAGAAGC GAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAACT ACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGCGCAAGCG TTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGAGCTCGTAGGCGG CTTGTCACGTCGGGTGTGAAAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCCC GGGTCTGCATTCGATACGGGCTAGCTAGAGTGTGGTAG GGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGCA GATATCAGGAGGAACACCGGTGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCT GGGCCATTACTGACGCTGAGGAGCGAAAGCGTGGGGAG CGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAA CGGTGGGAACTAGGTGTTGGCGACATTCCACGTCGTCG GTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGTTCCCCGCCTGGGGAG TACGGCCGCAAGGCTAAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGG GCCCGCACAAGCAGCGGAGCATGTGGCTTAATTCGACG CAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGGCTTGACATACGCCGG AAAGCATCAGAGACGGTGCCCCCCTTGTGGTCGGTGTA CAGGTGGTGCATGGCTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGAT GTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTTGTCCTG TGTTGCCAGCATGCCCTTCGGGGTGATGGGGACTCACA GGAGACCGCCGGGGTCAACTCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGAC GACGTCAAGTCATCATGCCCCTTATGTCTTGGGCTGCAC ACGTGCTACAATGGCAGGTACAATGAGCTGCGATACCG TGAGGTGGAGCGAATCTCAAAAAGCCTGTCTCAGTTCG GATTGGGGTCTGCAACTCGACCCCATGAAGTCGGAGTT GCTAGTAATCGCAGATCAGCATTGCTGCGGTGAATACG TTCCCGGGCCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCACGTCACGAAA GTCGGTAACACCCGAAGCCGGTGGCCTCAACCC LuP30 CAGTCGAACGATGAACACTTCGGTGGGGATTAGTGGCG SEQ ID NO: 5 AACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGCAATCTGCCCTTCACTCT GGGACAAGCCCTGGAAACGGGGTCTAATACCGGATAAC ACTTCCACTCGCATGGGTGGAGGTTAAAAGCTCCGGCG GTGAAGGATGAGCCCGCGGCCTATCAGCTTGTTGGTGA GGTAATGGCTCACCAAGGCGACGACGGGTAGCCGGCCT GAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGCC CAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTGCAC AATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGACGCCGCGTGAGGG ATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCTCTTTCAGCAGGGAA GAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAAGCGCCGG CTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGCG CAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGAGCTCGT AGGCGGTCTGTCGCGTCGGATGTGAAAGCCCGGGGCTT AACCCCGGGTCTGCATTCGATACGGGCAGACTAGAGTG TGGTAGGGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGGTGTAGCGGTGAAA TGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCGGTGGCGAAGGCGG ATCTCTGGGCCATTACTGACGCTGAGGAGCGAAAGCGT GGGGAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGC CGTAAACGGTGGGAACTAGGTGTTGGCGACATTCCACG TCGTCGGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGTTCCCCGCCTG GGGAGTACGGCCGCAAGGCTAAAACTCAAAGGAATTGA CGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCAGCGGAGCATGTGGCTTAATT CGACGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGGCTTGACATAC ACCGGAAACGGCCAGAGATGGTCGCCCCCTTGTGGTCG GTGTACAGGTGGTGCATGGCTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGT GAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTT GTTCTGTGTTGCCAGCATGCCCTTCGGGGTGATGGGGAC TCACAGGAGACTGCCGGGGTCAACTCGGAGGAAGGTGG GGACGACGTCAAGTCATCATGCCCCTTATGTCTTGGGCT GCACACGTGCTACAATGGCCGGTACAAAGAGCTGCGAA GCCGTGAGGTGGAGCGAATCTCAAAAAGCCGGTCTCAG TTCGGATTGGGGTCTGCAACTCGACCCCATGAAGTCGG AGTTGCTAGTAATCGCAGATCAGCATTGCTGCGGTGAAT ACGTTCCCGGGCCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCACGTCACG AAAGTCGGTAACACCCGAAGCCGGTGGCCCAACC LuP47B GTGAGGTAATGGCTCACCAAGGCGACGACGGGTAGCCG SEQ ID NO: 6 GCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACAC GGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATT GCACAATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGACGCCGCGTG AGGGATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCTCTTTCAGCAG GGAAGAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAAGCG CCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAG GGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGAGC TCGTAGGCGGCTTGTCACGTCGGGTGTGAAAGCCCGGG GCTTAACCCCGGGTCTGCATTCGATACGGGCTAGCTAGA GTGTGGTAAGGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGGTGTAGCGGTG AAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCGGTGGCGAAG GCGGATCTCTGGGCCATTACTGACGCTGAGGAGCGAAA GCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCC ACGCCGTAAACGGTGGGAACTAAGGTGTTGGCGACATT CCACGTCGTCGGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGTTCCCG CCCGGGGGAGTACGGCCGCAAGGCTAAAACTCAAAGGA ATTGACGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCAGCGGAGCATG EN23 ACGAACGCTGGCGGCGTGCTTAACACATGCAAGTCGAA SEQ ID NO: 7 CGATGAAGCCGCTTCGGTGGTGGATTAGTGGCGAACGG GTGAGTAACACGTGGGCAATCTGCCCTTCACTCTGGGAC AAGCCCTGGAAACGGGGTCTAATACCGGATAACACTCT GTCCCGCATGGGACGGGGTTGAAAGCTCCGGCGGTGAA GGATGAGCCCGCGGCCTATCAGCTTGTTGGTGGGGTAA TGGCCTACCAAGGCGACGACGGGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAG GGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGAC TCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTGCACAATGG GCGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGACGCCGCGTGAGGGATGAC GGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCTCTTTCAGCAGGGAAGAAG CGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAAC TACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGCGCAAGC GTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGAGCTCGTAGGCG GCTTGTCACGTCGGATGTGAAAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCC CGGGTCTGCATTCGATACGGGCTAgCTAGAGTGTGGTAG GGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGGTGTAgCGGTGAAATGCGCA GATATCAGGAGGAACACCGGTGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCT GGGCCATTACTGACgTcTGAGGAGCGAAAGCGTGGGgAg CGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGgTAGTCCACGCCGTAAAC GTTGGgAACTAGgTGTTGGCGACATTCCACGTCGTCGGT GCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGTTCCCCGCCTGGGGAGTA CGGCCGCAAGGCTAAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGC CCGCACAAGCAGCGGAGCATGTGGCTTAATTCGACGCA ACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGGCTTGACATATACCGGAA AGCATCAGAGATGGTGCCCCCCTTGTGGTCGGTATACA GGTGGTGCATGGCTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGT TGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTTGTTCTGTG TTGCCAGCATGCCCTTCGGGGTGATGGGGACTCACAGG AGACTGCCGGGGTCAACTCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGACGAC GTCAAGTCATCATGCCCCTTATGTCTTGGGCTGCACACG TGCTACAATGGCCGGTACAATGAGCTGCGATGCCGCGA GGCGGAGCGAATCTCAAAAAGCCGGTCTCAGTTCGGAT TGGGGTCTGCAACTCGACCCCATGAAGTCGGAGTTGCT AGTAATCGCAGATCAGCATTGCTGCGGTGAATACGTTCC CGGGCCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCACGTCACGAAAGTC GGTAACACCCGAAGCCGGTGGCCCAACCCTTGTGGGAG GGAGCTGTCGAAGGTGGGACTGGCGATTG EN27 TTAANACATGCAANTCGAACGATGAACCCNGTTTCGGT SEQ ID NO: 8 GGTGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGTGAGTAANANGTGGGCAA TTTGCCCTTCATTTTGGACAAGCCCTGGAAACGGGTTTA ATACCGGATAACATTTTNTCCCGCATGGGANGGGGTTG AAAGNTCCGGCGGTGAAGGATGAGCCCGCGGCCTATNA GCTTGTTGGTGGGGTAATGGCCTACCCAAGGGAGACGG GTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGAAT GAGANACGGCCCAGAATCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGG GGAATATTGCACAATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGAN GCCGCGTGAGGGATGACGGCCTTNGGGTTGTAAACCTT TTTNAGCAGGGAAGAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAG AAGAAGCGCCGGCTAAATAAGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTA ATAAGTAGGGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCG TAAAGAGCTTGTAGGCGGCTTGTCANGTNGGATGTGAA AGCCCGGGGNTTAACCCCGGGTTTGCATTTGATACGGG CTAGNTAGAGTGTGGTAGGGGAGATNGGAATTCCTGGT GTAGCGGTGAAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCGG TGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCTGGGCCATTACTGACGCTGAG GAGCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCT GGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGTTGGGAACTAGGTGTTGG CGACATTCCACGTCGTCGGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAA GTTCCCCGNCTGGGGAGTACGGCCGCAAGGCTAANACT CAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGCCCGNACAAGCAGCGGANC ATGTGGCTTAATTCGACGCANCGCGAAGAACCTTACCA AGGCTTGACATATACCGGAAAGCATCAGAGATGGTGCC CCCCTTGTGGTCGNTATACANGTGGTGCATGNCTGTCGT CACCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACG AGCGCNACCCTTGNTCTGTGTTGNCANCATGCCCTTCGG GGNTGATGGGGACTCACAGGANACTGNCCGGGGTCAAC TCCGGANGAAGGTGGGTGACGAAGTCAAGGTCATCATG NCCCCTTATGTCTTGGTGCTGCACACGTGC LuP8 AATGGGCTAAGTTCGAAACGATTGAACCACTTTCGGTG SEQ ID NO: 9 GGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGCAAT CTGCCCTTCACTCTGGGACAAGCCCTGGAAACGGGGTCT AATACCGGATACCACTACCGCAGGCATCTGTGGTGGTT GAAAGCTCCGGCGGTGAAGGATGAGCCCGCGGCCTATC AGCTTGTTGGTGAGGTAATGGCTCACCAAGGCGACGAC GGGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGA CTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTG GGGAATATTGCACAATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATGCAGCGA CGCCGCGTGAGGGATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCT CTTTCAGCAGGGAAGAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCA GAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGT AATACGTAGGGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGC GTAAAGAGCTCGTAGGCGGCTTGTCACGTCGGGTGTGA AAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCCCGGGTCTGCATTCGATACGG GCTAGCTAGAGTGTGGTAGGGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGG TGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCG GTGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCTGGGCCATTACTGACGCTGA GGAGCGAAAGCGGGGGGGGCAAAAAAGGGAACCCGGC CGGGGGGGG LuP44 TCGGTGGGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGGTGAGTAACACGTG SEQ ID NO: 10 GGCAATCTGCCCTTCACTCTGGGACAAGCCCTGGAAAC GGGGTCTAATACCGGATACCACTACCGCAGGCATCTGT GGTGGTTGAAAGCTCCGGCGGTGAAGGATGAGCCCGCG GCCTATCAGCTTGTTGGTGAGGTAATGGCTCACCAAGGC GACGACGGGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACA CTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCA GCAGTGGGGAATATTGCACAATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATG CAGCGACGCCGCGTGAGGGATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGT AAACCTCTTTCAGCAGGGAAGAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTA CCTGCAGAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGC CGCGGTAATACGTAGGGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTA TTGGGCGTAAAGAGCTCGTAGGCGGCTTGTCACGTCGG GTGTGAAAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCCCGGGTCTGCATTCG ATACGGGCTAGCTAGAGTGTGGTAGGGGAGATCGGAAT TCCTGGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGA ACACCGGTGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCTGGGCCATTACTGA CGCTGAGGAGCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATTA GATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGGTGGGAACTA GGTGTTGGCGACATTCCACGTCGTCGGTGCCGCAGCTAA CGCATTAAGTTCCCCGCCTGGGGAGTACGGCCGCAAGG CTAAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCA GCGGAGCATGTGGCTTAATTCGACGCAACGCGAAGAAC CTTACCAAGGCTTGACATACGCCGGAAAGCATCGGAGA CGGGGTCCCCCTTGTGGTCGGTGTACAGGTGGTGCATGG CTGTCGTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCC CGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTTGTCCTGTGTTGCCAGCATGC CCTTCGGGGTGATGGGGACTCACAGGAGACCGCCGGGG TCAACTCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGACGACGTCAAGTCATCA TGCCCCTTATGTCTTGGGCTGCACACGTGCTACAATGGC AGGTACAATGAGCTGCGATACCGTGAGGTGGAGCGAAT CTCAAAAAGCCTGTCTCAGTTCGGATTGGGGTCTGCAAC TCGACCCCATGAAGTCGGAGTTGCTAGTAATCGCAGAT CAGCATTGCTGCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGCCTTGTACA CACCGCCCGTCACGTCACGAAAGTCGGTAACACCCGAA GCCGGTGGCCCAACCC

(64) As shown in Table 8, the closest match for LuP3 was Streptomyces drozdowiczii with up to 99.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity. The closest match for LuP30 was Streptomyces rishiriensis, which showed up to 99.9% 16S rRNA gene identity. LuP12A, LuP47B, LuP8 and LuP44 are all very close to both Streptomyces ciscaucasicus and Streptomyces canus, with >99% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity.

EXAMPLE 10—EFFECT OF ACTINOBACTERIA/RHIZOBIA CO-INOCULATION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF LUCERNE AT DIFFERING N CONCENTRATIONS

(65) The effects of three actinobacteria on the growth and symbiosis of lucerne and rhizobia was studied at three levels of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 3 ppm, 25 ppm and 50 ppm.

(66) The factorial experiment comprised (i) 3 strains of actinobacteria, (ii) ± inoculation with Sinorhizobium meliloti RRI 128 and (iii) 3 levels of soil NH.sub.4NO.sub.3. The pots were prepared and watered with a nitrogen deficient McKnight's solution supplemented with NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 to provide soil nitrogen of 3, 25 and 50 ppm. Plant seeds designated to rhizobia treatments were inoculated with a suspension (1 ml per plant containing 10.sup.8 CFU) of rhizobia 6 days after sowing. Each treatment was replicated eight times. Pots were arranged in a completely randomised design in a greenhouse and plants four pots of each treatment were harvested at 4 and 7 weeks after inoculation with the S. meliloti RRI 128.

(67) As shown in Table 9, co-inoculation of each of EN23, LuP30 and LuP47B with S. meliloti RRI 128 was able to statistically significantly improve at least one of root dry weight or shoot dry weight over the un-inoculated or Rhizobium only controls at at least one concentration of N.

(68) As shown in Table 10, co-inoculation of each of EN23, LuP30 and LuP47B with S. meliloti RRI 128 was able to statistically significantly improve the number of nodules over the un-inoculated or Rhizobium only controls at at least one concentration of N at the 4 week and/or 7 week sampling time.

(69) Regarding nutrient levels, in the absence of the S. meliloti RRI 128 EN23, LuP30 or LuP47B reduced significantly iron and copper in shoot plants after 7 weeks at both 25 mg and 50 mg/kg.sub.nitrogen NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 supply while sodium and molybdenum was increased. Total nitrogen in shoot plants were increased significantly with seeds coated with LuP47B at 50 mg N while EN23 and LuP30 did increase total amount of nitrogen shoot plant but not significant. The actinobacteria showed the best impact on the nutrient in shoot of lucerne at 25 mg N after 4 weeks inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128 EN23. Three actinobacteria treatment plants had higher the content of iron, manganese, boron, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and macro elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphate and nitrogen.

EXAMPLE 11—EFFECT OF ACTINOBACTERIA/RHIZOBIA CO-INOCULATION ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF LUCERNE AT DIFFERING DOSING OF RHIZOBIA INOCULATION

(70) Increasing S. meliloti RRI 128 dose concentrations resulted in slight increases number of nodules and of the growth of the plant. The number of nodules per plant increased from 4.3 to 7.0 and 8.8 nodules when the concentration of rhizobia was increased from 5×10.sup.2 to 5×10.sup.4 and 5×10.sup.6 respectively (see Table 11). The significant effects of LuP30 and LuP47B on plant growth and nodulation of lucerne plants were on 5×10.sup.2 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 of S. meliloti RRI 128 (See FIG. 8). The shoot dry weight and total mass per plant were increased up to about 50% to 60% and was similar with plants treated with the rhizobia at 10.sup.4 and 10.sup.6 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 (see FIG. 8A). In addition, co-inoculation with either LuP30 or LuP47B individually with S. meliloti RRI 128 at 5×10.sup.2 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 increased the number of nodules up to 7 and 9 per plant, respectively while control plants had 4.3 nodules per plant.

EXAMPLE 12—.SUP.15.N EXPERIMENT

(71) Streptomyces spp. LuP30 and LuP47B were added as spores to lucerne seed with a sterile 0.3% xanthan gum solution and air dried before sowing. Seeds were treated with S. meliloti RRI 128. The planting process was as described in EXAMPLE 10.

(72) The nitrogen supplied was .sup.15NH.sub.4.sup.15NO.sub.3 (98%) with initial N concentration in soil (25 mg/kg .sup.15NH.sub.4.sup.15NO.sub.3). Plants were harvested after 10, 21 and 35 days after inoculation with the S. meliloti RRI 128. Nitrogen in shoot and root materials was analysed by mass spectrometry to determine the proportions of plant N derived from the atmosphere and soil.

(73) The plants were harvested at three times—at 10, 21 and 35 days after inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128. The effectiveness of LuP30 and LuP47B was re-confirmed by the increase of the shoot dry weight and the number of nodules after 21 and 35 days co-inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128 (FIG. 9) and (Table 12). The amount of .sup.15N and .sup.14N in plants was estimated by spectrometry and the total N in whole plant co-inoculation with LuP30 or LuP47B was increased up to 40% and 60% respectively compared with plants treated S. meliloti RRI 128 alone (FIG. 10). This was mostly due to greater accumulation of .sup.14N (derived from N.sub.2-fixation) which was increased by LuP30 or LuP47B by 47% and 72%, respectively. The actinobacteria significantly increased the amount of .sup.14N in their plants while LuP47B also increased the amount of .sup.15N in their shoot and root (Table 13).

EXAMPLE 13—EFFECT OF ACTINOBACTERIA ON GROWTH AND SYMBIOSIS OF CLOVER

(74) Clover cultivar Campeda (Trifolium subterraneum L.), was chosen to examine the effects of the two actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B which have shown an increase in growth and nitrogen fixation of lucerne in previous experiments. Rhizobial strain Rhizobium WSM 1325 was inoculated on seeds of clover.

(75) The factorial experiment comprised (i) two strains of actinobacteria (LuP30 and LuP47B), (ii) inoculation with rhizobia strain WSM1325 for clover. Growth of rhizobia and actinobacteria, plant growth media and nutrition, sowing and water supply were as described above. The concentration of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 was supplied at 25 mg per kg of sand and vermiculite where the actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B showed increased plant growth and nitrogen fixation for lucerne plants. Eight replicates for each treatment with four pots each harvested at 4 and 7 weeks after inoculation with rhizobia.

(76) Co-inoculation of LuP30 with WSM 1325 increased the number of nodules after 7 weeks and nodule mass after 4 and 7 weeks in clover (Table 14). Actinobacteria strain LuP47B co-inoculated with Rhizobium WSM 1325 significantly increased the dry weight of shoot, total mass and number of nodules per plant after 4 and 7 weeks inoculation with the Rhizobium while the nodule mass per plant was only increased after 7 weeks (see FIG. 11 and Table 14). There was a significant change in the dry wt. of root of plants between the two harvests; for example, LuP30 increased root dry weight after 4 weeks while LuP47B increased root dry weight after 7 weeks.

EXAMPLE 14—IN VITRO INTERACTION OF RHIZOBIA AND ACTINOBACTERIA

(77) The interaction between LuP30 or LuP47B on the growth of two rhizobia Rhizobium WSM 1325 and Bradyrhizobium WSM 471 was studied at three concentrations 10.sup.4, 10.sup.6 and 10.sup.8 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 (or 10.sup.3, 10.sup.5 and 10.sup.7 cells on each agar plate) of the two rhizobial strains. The two actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B were grown on ISP2 for 7-10 days and agar plugs of the well grown cultures were placed onto the agar plates containing the three rates of rhizobia. The growth of the rhizobia was examined 5 to 14 days after adding the actinobacteria plugs.

(78) LuP30 and LuP47B showed positive and non-antagonistic effects on the growth of both rhizobia (Rhizobium WSM 1325 and Bradyrhizobium WSM 471). At low concentrations of rhizobia, less than 10.sup.7 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 or 10.sup.5 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 on each agar plate, LuP30 and LuP47B promoted a visible increase in the growth of both rhizobia on YMA medium after 5 days incubation at 27° C. (Table 15). When the concentration of the rhizobia was more than 10.sup.7 CFU.Math.ml.sup.−1 the effects of two actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B were not obvious on the growth of the two rhizobia as analysed by visual observation, as was observed with the low rhizobial concentrations. These results show that rhizobial strains obtain growth benefits and are not inhibited by the two actinobacteria LuP30 and LuP47B.

EXAMPLE 15—EFFECT OF ACTINOBACTERIA ON GROWTH AND SYMBIOSIS OF SOYBEAN PLANTS (GLYCINE MAX)

(79) The overall aim of this experiment was to evaluate a range of endophytic actinobacterial strains on the growth of soybean plants to determine whether these strains have a broad leguminous plant host range. The results of the study of plants harvested 4 weeks after the addition of the Bradyrhizbium inoculum to the actinobacterial-treated plants showed that 4 of the 18 strains tested had significantly improved plant growth and/or nitrogen content of the soybean plants.

Materials and Methods

(80) Soybean seeds (Glycine max cv. Djackal) were surface-sterilised and coated with spores of actinobacteria suspended in 0.3% (w/v) xanthan gum. Coated seeds (1 per pot) were sown into a pasteurised potting mix ˜1 kg (50:50 by volume of sand:vermiculite) contained in 1.25 L pots. 200 ml of nitrogen deficient McKnight's nutrient solution was applied at sowing and supplemented to provide 25 mg of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3 per kg of potting media. Pots were arranged in a randomised block design with 5 replicates of each treatment. Plants were harvested at 4 weeks and 7 weeks after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium strain CB 1809.

(81) Treatments were nil control, rhizobia with no actinobacteria, and Rhizobium plus each of the following Streptomyces strains: Str. EN23, Str. EN27, Str. LuP3, Str. LuP5, LuP8, Str. LuP10, Str. LuP12A, Str. LuP30, Str. LuP44, Str. LuP46B, Str. LuP47B, Str. LuP73B, Str. LuP75, Str. PG3, Str. PG4, Str. PP1, Str. PP9, CM23.

(82) Parameters measured were: Length, dry weight of shoot and root. Number and total mass of nodules per plant. Nitrogen, P and trace elements in the plant shoots.

Effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium CB 1809 on Nodulation and Plant Growth of Soybean

(83) Inoculation with Bradyrhizobium CB 1809 in the absence of actinobacteria resulted in abundant nodulation (around 120 nodules per plant) and increased shoot and root dry weights confirming the effectiveness of the Bradyrhizobium strain with the cultivar Djackal. There were no obvious constraints to nodulation, in the testing system.

Effect of Actinobacteria on Plant Growth and Symbiosis of Soy Plants at 4 Weeks Post Inoculation

(84) Data for four (isolated from lucerne root) of the 18 actinobacteria tested are presented, based on their positive effects. Thirteen of the strains did not affect any of the parameters measured. As shown in Table 16, plants treated with Str. LuP8 and Bradyrhizobium CB 1809 strain showed increases in plant growth compared to plants only inoculated with CB1809. Str. LuP47B increased dry weight of shoots and total plant weight (+15%) and LuP30 increased total plant weight (+12%). Str. LuP30, LuP44 and LuP47B also improved the nodule mass per plant by 20, 22 and 29% respectively.

(85) As shown in Table 17, plants treated with LuP47B also had increased levels of iron, magnesium, phosphorus and nitrogen (27%) compared with plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium CB1809 only. LuP8 increased total N (23%) and also iron. LuP30 increased iron content.

Effect of Actinobacteria on Plant Growth and Symbiosis of Soy Plants at 7 Weeks Post Inoculation

(86) As shown in Table 18, statistically significant results were: LuP47B increased height of shoots by 38%; LuP8 increased total nodule mass by 54%; LuP8 increased fresh weight of pods by 24% and number of seeds per plant by 35%; and LuP47B increased the dry weight of seeds by 43% while LuP8 increased total dry weight of shoot and pods per plant by 24%.

EXAMPLE 16—EFFECT OF ACTINOBACTERIA ON GROWTH AND SYMBIOSIS OF FIELD PEA (PISUM SP.)

(87) Pea field trials were sown Hart (28 May) and Riverton (10 June) in South Australia (SA), and at Pimpinio (15 May) in Victoria. The trials were arranged in randomised complete block design with 3 replicates, each comprising an uninoculated control and 3 inoculation treatments. Treatments were applied to Kaspa field pea which was sown to achieve a seedling density of 50 plants/m.sup.2. The rhizobia treatment (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain WSM1455) was applied at approximately 100 fold the rate recommended commercially. The co-inoculation treatment comprised the rhizobia treatment co-inoculated with Streptomyces sp. strain Lup47B, which was applied as spores to the seed before sowing.

(88) Six plants were sampled from each plot at approximately 8 weeks after sowing and nodule number and nodule dry weight per plant determined. An additional ten plant shoots were sampled from each plot in October/November (late pod fill) and used to estimate shoot biomass, pod number per plant and to estimate the % N derived from fixation using the .sup.15N natural abundance method. Plots were machine harvested to estimate grain yield and subsamples used for the determination of grain protein (Total N Leco, CSBP).

(89) Table 19 shows nodule number, nodule weight, pod number and total plant biomass in pea plants grown in field trials at three sites (Riverton SA, Hart SA and Pimpinio Vic). A summary of the results shown in table 19 is: A significant effect on nodulation was seen at Pimpinio, where the actinobacteria (LuP47B)/Rhizobium coinoculation significantly increased the number of nodules relative to the Rhizobium only control; and Actinobacteria (LuP47B)/Rhizobium coinoculation increased biomass at all sites relative to Rhizobium only inoculation, with two sites and the mean of all sites achieving statistically significant increases in biomass.

(90) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to, or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.

(91) Also, it must be noted that, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural aspects unless the context already dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a microorganism” includes a single microorganism as well as two or more microorganisms; “a leguminous plant” includes a single plant as well as two or more plants; and so forth.

(92) Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

(93) Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers.

(94) Reference is made to standard textbooks of molecular biology that contain methods for carrying out basic techniques encompassed by the present invention, including DNA restriction and ligation for the generation of the various genetic constructs described herein. See, for example, Maniatis et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, 1982) and Sambrook et al. (2000, supra).

(95) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 IAA Phosphate Cultures production solubilisation LuP3 + − LuP5B − ++ LuP8 + + LuP10 − − LuP12A + − LuP30 ++ − LuP44 + + LuP46(2) + − LuP47B ++ − LuP73B + − LuP83 + −

(96) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 OD.sub.600 nm <= 0.06 <= 6 × 10.sup.7 cfu/ml OD.sub.600 nm <= 0.1 <= 1 × 10.sup.8 cfu/ml Cultures RRI128 SRDI736 WSM1115G RRI128 SRDI736 WSM1115G EN16 0 0 0 0 0 0 EN23 0 0 ++ 0 0 + EN27 0 0 0 0 0 0 EN28 0 0 − 0 0 − EN46 − 0 0 0 0 0 Lu P3 ++ + + ++ + + LuP8 0 0 + 0 0 ++ LuP10 ++ −− − + −− − LuP12 A 0 0 0 0 0 ++ LuP30 ++ ++ ++ ++ + ++ LuP44 0 + + 0 0 + LuP46(2) 0 + 0 0 0 + LuP47B + + + 0 0 ++ LuP83 0 0 ++ 0 0 +

(97) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Shoot dry Length Root dry Lucerne Height of weight of root weight treatment shoot (cm) (mg) (cm) (mg) Untreated* 9.21.sup.a 30.23.sup.a 24.64.sup.bc 13.55.sup.ab RR1128 12.55.sup.b 50.63.sup.b 23.57.sup.ab 17.49.sup.ab only RR1128 + 13.94.sup.bcd 64.17.sup.cd 30.13.sup.d 20.30.sup.b EN2 RR1128 + 12.75.sup.b 52.55.sup.b 18.44.sup.a 12.44.sup.a EN16 RR1128 + 15.20.sup.d 69.15.sup.d 28.66.sup.cd 16.48.sup.ab EN23 RRI128 + 14.82.sup.cd 59.71.sup.bcd 20.79.sup.ab 20.87.sup.b EN27 RRI128 + 13.06.sup.bc 55.45.sup.bc 19.63.sup.ab 17.38.sup.ab EN28 RRI128 + 13.48.sup.bcd 58.30.sup.bc 22.00.sup.ab 16.00.sup.ab EN46 SPAD N N per Nodule fresh No. of 502 content plant weight (mg) nodules reading (%) (mg) Untreated* 0.sup.a 0.sup.a ND .sup.ND .sup.ND RR1128 0.58.sup.b 22.22.sup.cd 28.31.sup.a 2.725.sup.a** 1.38 only RRI128 + 1.02.sup.cd 23.55.sup.cd 29.64.sup.ab .sup.ND .sup.ND EN2 RRI128 + 0.86.sup.bc 17.42.sup.b 29.62.sup.ab .sup.ND .sup.ND EN16 RRI128 + 1.27.sup.d 25.74.sup.d 31.46.sup.bc 3.225.sup.b** 2.23 EN23 RRI128 + 0.78.sup.bc 16.85.sup.b 31.83.sup.c 3.65.sup.c** 2.18 EN27 RRI128 + 0.74.sup.bc 21.55.sup.bcd 28.91.sup.a .sup.ND .sup.ND EN28 RRI128+ 0.91.sup.bc 19.70.sup.bc 28.95.sup.a .sup.ND .sup.ND EN46 Untreated*: seeds were coated with 0.3% xanthan gum without rhizobium. The different letters in the same column indicate a significant difference (p < 0.05). Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan test.

(98) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Height Length Shoot dry Root dry Total DW of Total of shoot of root weight weight Mass No of nodule nodule Treatment (cm) (cm) (mg) (mg) (mg) nodules (mg) mass (mg) Untreated*  4.85.sup.a 18.00.sup.a  11.75.sup.a 15.25.sup.a  27.sup.a  0.sup.a 0.sup.a 0.sup.a RR1128 12.19.sup.b 18.77.sup.ab  78.4.sup.b 35.6.sup.b 114.sup.b 22.10.sup.b 0.1081.sup.b 2.280.sup.b only RR1128 + 13.33.sup.bc 23.80.sup.ab  89.73.sup.bc 43.56.sup.b 132.29.sup.bc 21.90.sup.b 0.1238.sup.bc 2.711.sup.bc EN23 RR1128 + 12.21.sup.bc 27.56.sup.bc  80.76.sup.bc 47.78.sup.bc 127.54.sup.bc 19.89.sup.b 0.1054.sup.b 2.0964.sup.b EN27 RR1128 + 12.96.sup.bc 20.47.sup.ab  83.27.sup.bc 44.2.sup.b 127.47.sup.bc 22.50.sup.b 0.1061.sup.b 2.390.sup.b Lu P3 RR1128 + 11.17.sup.bc 23.45.sup.ab  74.59.sup.b 42.78.sup.b 117.37.sup.b 16.70.sup.b 0.1356.sup.bc 2.264.sup.b LuP5B RRI128 + 14.22.sup.bc 21.30.sup.ab  80.93.sup.bc 58.89.sup.c 139.82.sup.bc 18.22.sup.b 0.1261.sup.bc 2.297.sup.b LuP10 RRI128 + 13.95.sup.bc 22.33.sup.ab  81.9.sup.bc 40.3.sup.b 122.20.sup.bc 18.30.sup.b 0.1072.sup.b 1.962.sup.b LuP12A RR1128 + 13.83.sup.bc 32.55.sup.c  97.9.sup.cd 45.6.sup.bc 143.50.sup.c 20.80.sup.b 0.0985.sup.b 2.0610.sup.b Lu P30 RR1128 + 12.91.sup.bc 21.57.sup.ab  83.7.sup.bc 49.2.sup.bc 132.90.sup.bc 20.50.sup.b 0.1070.sup.b 2.1935.sup.b LuP44 RR1128 + 15.39.sup.c 25.92.sup.bc 106.1.sup.d 42.00.sup.b 148.10.sup.c 20.50.sup.b 0.1615.sup.c 3.380.sup.c LuP47B Untreated*: seeds were coated with 0.3% xanthan gum without rhizobium. The different letters in the same column indicate a significant difference (p < 0.05). Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan test.

(99) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 RRI128 RRI128 + RRI128 + RRI128 + Treatment only EN23 LuP30 LuP47B Boron (mg) 3.759a  3.932a  4.621b  4.631b Calcium (μg)  0.839a  0.933ab  1.002b  1.181c Copper (μg)  0.602a  0.745b  0.860c  0.738b Iron (μg) 23.66a 21.13a 24.38a 21.90a Magnesium (mg)  0.732a  0.784a  0.904b  0.983b Manganese (μg) 12.54a 12.89a 14.82b 15.18b Phosphorus (mg)  0.086a  0.111b  0.120c  0.121c Sodium (mg)  0.102a  0.144bc  0.137b  0.173c Sulfur (mg)  0.191a  0.212ab  0.228bc  0.244c Nitrogen (mg)  2.598a  2.949b  3.205c  3.431d Zinc (μg) 18.48a 18.96ab 22.75c 21.58bc The different letters in the same column indicate a significant difference (p < 0.05). Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan test.

(100) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6 Height Shoot Root of Length dry dry Total No of Treatment shoot of root weight weight Mass nodules Untreated* 3.sup.a 15.25.sup.b  6.9.sup.a  7.9.sup.e 14.8.sup.a  0.sup.a RRI128 only 3.6.sup.abc 11.83.sup.a 17.33.sup.bc 12.67.sup.ab 30.00.sup.b  6.33.sup.bcd RRI128 + LuP3 3.96.sup.bc 15.8b.sup.c 19.4.sup.bc 17.2b.sup.cd 36.6.sup.bcd  7.sup.bcd RRI128 + LuP5B 4.34.sup.c 18.7.sup.c 20.4.sup.c 18.8.sup.cde 39.2.sup.cd  8.2.sup.bcd RRI128 + 4.18.sup.bc 13.62.sup.ab 18.2.sup.bc 22.sup.e 40.2.sup.d  8.sup.bcd LuP12A RRI128 + LuP30 3.56.sup.ab 13.32.sup.ab 15.4.sup.b 15.6.sup.bc 31.sup.bc  9.8.sup.de RRI128 + 3.74.sup.abc 16.16.sup.bc 20.sup.c 16.2.sup.bcd 38.2.sup.bcd 10.sup.de LuP47B Untreated*: seeds were coated with 0.3% xanthan gum without rhizobium. The different letters in the same column indicate a significant difference (p < 0.05). Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA and Duncan test.

(101) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 7 Height Shoot dry Root dry Total of shoot weight (mg weight (mg biomass (mg (cm) per plant) per plant) per plant) Control 1 3.74 a 10.01 a 11.19 ab 21.20 a Control 2 2.2 d  2.67 d  4.27 e  6.74 e Control 3 2.95 c  6.6 c  4.9 de 11.50 de R + EN16 3.07c  6.82 bc  7.31 cde 14.13 cd R + LuP10 3.59 ab  8.09 bc  7.75 cde 15.84 c R + LuP12A 3.12 bc  7.67 bc  6.45 cde 14.12 cd R + LuP30 2.95 c  7.3 bc  8.52 bcd 15.82 c R + LuP44 2.97 c  6.85 bc  9.34 bc 16.19 bc R + Lu P46(2) 3.37 abc  8.51 ab  7.78 cde 16.29 bc R + LuP47B 3.36 abc  7.27 bc  8.11 bcde 15.38 c R + LuP73B 3.08 bc  7.33 bc 13.1 a 20.43 ab R + LuP83 3.12 bc  7.16 bc  7.69 cde 14.75 cd Control 1, only rhizobium RRI128 and no R. solani; Control 2, without rhizobium RRI128 and R. solani applied; Control 3, rhizobium RRI128 and R. solani applied; R + RRI128 plus endophytic actinobacteria.

(102) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 8 Closest match in Gen Bank using BLASTN Accession % Organism number Bits Identity LuP3 Streptomyces drozdowiczii EF654097 2620 99.40 NRRL B-24297 Streptomyces drozdowiczii N R041424 99.40 NBRC101007 LuP12A Streptomyces ciscaucasicus AB184208 2704 99.78 NBRC 12872 Streptomyces canus AB184118 99.78 NBRC 12752 LuP30 NRRL B-3239 EF178682 2728 99.90 Streptomyces rishiriensis NBRC 13407 AB184383 99.90 LuP47B Streptomyces ciscaucasicus AB184208 2334 99.49 NBRC 12872 Streptomyces canus AB184118 99.49 NBRC 12752 EN23 Streptomyces badius NR_043350.1 2590   99% NRRL B-2567 EN27 Streptomyces parvus JX013965.1 1815   94% Strain 5j38 LuP8 Streptomyces ciscaucasicus NR_041085.1 1251 99.2% NBRC 12872 Streptomyces canus NR_112259.1 1251 99.2% NBRC 12752 Lu P44 Streptomyces ciscaucasicus NR_041085.1 2477 99.7% NBRC 12872 Streptomyces canus NR_112259.1 2477 99.7% NBRC 12752

(103) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 9 Shoot weight DM Root weight DM Shoot: root (mg/plant) (mg/plant) Treatment A B C A B C A B C Single inoculation with Streptomyces Control.sup.a 1.1 1.4 1.9  19.7  79.3 173  17.8  55.8  91 EN23 1.2 2.1* 2.9**  19.9 103.5* 215.9*  17.3  48.6  75.1* LuP30 1.0 2.2* 2.6*  20.3  94.1* 215.9*  19.6  43.8  83.6 LuP47B 1.2 2.6** 2.7*  19.7 103* 212*  17.1  39.6*  78.5 Co-inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128 Control.sup.b 1.8 2.7 2.1 229 268 348 129 100 169 EN23 2.1 2.3 2.5 238 340* 436** 114 151* 172 LuP30 3.7** 2.8 2.7* 283* 392** 379*  76** 141* 142* LuP47B 2.8* 3.5* 2.0 284* 365** 331 101* 109 163

(104) TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 10 4 weeks 7 weeks 25 50 25 50 Treatment 3 mg N mg N mg N 3 mg N mg N mg N RRI 128 22a 24a 40a 27a  47a 69b RRI 128 + 21a 53b 52b 30ab 51a 56a EN23 RRI 128 + 31b 51b 48b 41c  57a  66ab LuP30 RRI 128 + 24a 42b 36a 37bc 49a 71b LuP47B

(105) TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 11 S. meliloti RRI 128 concentrations (CFU .Math. ml.sup.−1) Actinobacteria 5 × 10.sup.2 5 × 10.sup.4 5 × 10.sup.6 Number of nodules per plant Nil 4.3 ± 0.9 7.0 ± 0.9 8.8 ± 1.5 LuP30 7.0 ± 1.1 7.3 ± 2.3 8.5 ± 1.9 LuP47B 9.0 ± 1.8 7.8 ± 1.1 9.8 ± 2.9

(106) TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 12 Shoot weight DM Root weight DM Number of Shoot:root (mg/plant) (mg/plant) nodules (#/plant) Treatment 10d 21d 35d 10d 21d 35d 10d 21d 35d 10d 21d 35d Single inoculation with Streptomyces Controla 2.4 1.9 1.8 5.8 31.0  64.9  2.4 16.2 36.5 0 0  0 LuP30 2.6 1.9 1.9 5.7 30.1  67.2  2.2 16.2 36.3 0 0  0 LuP47B 2.0 1.9 1.7 5.1 28.8  65.1  2.5 15.1 37.6 0 0  0 Co-inoculation with S. meliloti RRI 128 Controlb 2.5 1.9 1.9 5.8 25.9  87.6 2.3 13.7 45.9 0 18.6  30.0 LuP30 2.3 2.2 2.1 5.8 33.7* 110.2* 2.5 15.3 52.8 0 24.6*  48.6* LuP47B 2.3 2.1 1.9 5.4 34.3* 110.7* 2.3 16.1  59.6* 0 22.8* 37.2

(107) TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 13 21d 35d Total Total Treatment .sup.15N .sup.14N N .sup.15N .sup.14N N Shoot (μg) RRI 128 256a  489a 745a 543a 1732a  2275a  only RRI 128 + 312ab 503a 816a 658a 2564b 3222b  LuP30 RRI 128 + 343b  586a 929a 648a 2956b 3605b  LuP47B Root (μg) RRI 128 102a  175a 276a 279a 735a 1014a  only RRI 128 + 116ab 184a 300a  313ab 1062ab 1375ab LuP30 RRI 128 + 125b  197a 322a 364b 1280b  1644b  LuP47B

(108) TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 14 Root length Root weight Nodule number Total nodule (cm) (mg DM/ plant) (#/plant) mass (mg) Treatment 4w 7w 4w 7w 4w 7w 4w 7w Untreated* 20a 30a 35.0a 46.0a   0a   0a 0a   0a   WSM 1325 30b 34ab 63.5b 69.8b 114b 119b 7.5b 8.3b only WSM 1325+ 36c 39b 71.7c 70.6b 127bc 168c 9.3c 11.2c LuP30 WSM 1325 + 29b 31a 59.6b 79.3c 138c 175c 7.9b 11.7c LuP47B

(109) TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 15 ≤10.sup.3 cfu/plate ≤10.sup.5 cfu/plate ≤10.sup.7 cfu/plate WSM WSM WSM WSM WSM WSM Cultures 1325 471 1325 471 1325 471 LuP30 ++ ++ ++ ++ + + LuP47B ++ ++ ++ ++ + +

(110) TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 16 DW of DW of Total Number Nodule shoot root DW of mass Treatment (mg) (mg) (mg) nodules (mg/plant) Untreated 1320.sup.a 511.8.sup.a 1760.sup.a  0.sup.a  0.sup.a CB 1809 2120.sup.b 515.sup.a 2640.sup.b 119.sup.b 115.sup.b CB 1809 + 2520.sup.c 717.sup.b 3240.sup.c  97.sup.b 115.sup.b LuP8 CB 1809 + 2330.sup.bc 614.6.sup.ab 2940.sup.c 134.sup.b 139.sup.c LuP30 CB 1809 + 2170.sup.b 606.8.sup.ab 2780.sup.b 109.sup.b 141.sup.c LuP44 CB 1809 + 2500.sup.c 528.2.sup.a 3030.sup.c 122.sup.b 149.sup.c LuP47B

(111) TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 17 Magne- Phospho- Sodi- Nitro- Copper Iron sium rous um gen Treatment (μg) (μg) (mg) (mg) (mg) (mg) Untreated 13.8.sup.a  94.sup.a  7.1.sup.a 2.8.sup.a 153.sup.a 13.2.sup.a CB 1809 25.6.sup.bc 162.sup.b  9.5.sup.b 2.9.sup.a 499.sup.cd 49.8.sup.b CB 1809+ 23.3.sup.bc 203.sup.c 11.1.sup.bc 3.3.sup.ab 404.sup.c 61.6.sup.c LuP8 CB 1809 + 23.9.sup.bc 208.sup.c 10.8.sup.bc 3.2.sup.ab 577.sup.d 59.8.sup.bc LuP30 CB 1809 + 24.5.sup.bc 180.sup.bc 10.5.sup.bc 3.1.sup.ab 496.sup.cd 51.9.sup.bc LuP44 CB 1809 + 27.5.sup.c 214.sup.c 12.0.sup.c 3.6.sup.b 559.sup.d 63.1.sup.c LuP47B

(112) TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 18 Total H of DW of DW of No of nodule shoot shoot root nodules mass Treatment (cm) (g) (g) (#/plant) (mg) Untreated 25.7a 0.88a 0.41a  0a  0.0a Rhi only 30.7a 1.10ab 0.39a 86b  91.5bc Rhi + LuP8 34.8ab 1.38bc 0.39a 80b 140.7d Rhi + LuP30 30.4a 1.12ab 0.37a 67b  85.5bc Rhi + LuP44 34.0ab 1.09ab 0.37a 71b  89.3bc Rhi + 42.3b 1.26abc 0.34a 85b 109.8bc LuP47B Rhi + B 29.4a 1.06ab 0.43a 91b 115.9c N 30.0a 1.58c 0.58b  0a  0.0a Total mass No of FW of DW of No DW of of shoot Pods pods pod + seeds seed and pods Treatment (#/plant) (g) seed (g) (#/plant) (g) (g) Untreated 2.5a 1.3a 0.34a  5.33a 0.07a 1.22a Rhi only 5.0bc 3.7b 0.92bcd  9.13b 0.30b 2.02bc Rhi +LuP8 6.1c 4.6c 1.12d 12.38c 0.36bc 2.50d Rhi +LuP30 4.5bc 3.7b 0.83b  9.75bc 0.31b 1.95bc Rhi +LuP44 5.3bc 3.7b 0.95bcd 10.75bc 0.31b 1.81b Rhi + LuP47B 5.1bc 4.2bc 1.06cd 10.38bc 0.43c 2.33cd Rhi + B 4.3b 3.8b 0.88bc  8.88b 0.36bc 1.94bc N 6.0bc 4.7c 1.09d 10.5bc 0.44c 2.68d

(113) TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 19 Nodule Peak Nodule Peak Nodule weight Pod # Biomass Nodule weight Pod # Biomass # mg/ # per g per # mg/ # per g per #/plant plant 10 plants 10 plants #/plant plant 10 plants 10 plants Riverton SA Hart SA No ino- 36 6.1  76 165 45 7.1  80 149 culation WSM1455 32 9.3  85 182 56 8.2 106* 184 (Group F) Actino 26 4.7 109 229* 47 7.2 104* 193* bacteria (Lup47b) L.S.D. NS NS NS  38 NS NS  19  43 (P = 0.05) Pimpinio Vic Mean of all sites No ino- 29 12.5 8 75 36  9.0 50 124 culation WSM1455 28 14.8 7 75 37 11.2 60* 140 (Group F) Actino 58*  9.9 4 91 45  7.5 65* 163* bacteria (Lup47b) L.S.D. 12 NS NS NS NS NS 10  18 (P = 0.05)