Microbe-based products for enhancing plant root and immune health
Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing plant immunity, health, growth and yields using a combination of microbes and/or their growth by-products. Specifically, the subject invention enhances plant health, growth and/or yields using a combination of a Trichoderma spp. fungus and a Bacillus spp. bacterium. Specifically, in one embodiment, the subject invention utilizes Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
1 . A soil treatment composition for enhancing plant immunity, health, growth and/or yield, the composition comprising a first microorganism and a second microorganism, and/or a growth by-product of the first and/or second microorganism, wherein the first microorganism and the second microorganism are both non-pathogenic, spore-forming microorganisms; and wherein the first microorganism is Trichoderma harzianum and the second microorganism is Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-67928.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional microorganisms selected from Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Rhizobium spp., Myxococcus xanthus, Azotobacter vinelandii , and Frateuria aurantia.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising 1×10 6 to 1×10 12 CFU/mL of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-67928.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising 1×10 9 CFU/mL of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRRL B-67928.
5 . A method of enhancing plant immunity, health, growth and/or yield, wherein the method comprises applying a soil treatment composition according to claim 1 to a plant and/or its surrounding environment, and, optionally, applying nutrients and/or prebiotics for microbial growth.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the soil treatment composition is applied to the plant and/or its surroundings using an irrigation system.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the soil treatment composition is applied to the plant and/or its surrounding environment alongside a source of one or more nutrients selected from nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the plant has compromised immune health due to an infection from a pathogenic agent or due to an environmental stressor.
9 . The method of claim 8 , used to improve the immune health of the plant.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plant is a citrus plant affected by citrus greening disease and/or citrus canker disease.
11 . The method of claim 5 , used to improve one or more qualities of soil.
12 . The method of claim 11 , used to improve nutrient retention in depleted soil.
13 . The method of claim 5 , used to enhance nutrient absorption in plant roots.
14 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the plant is a crop plant.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the crop plant is selected from citrus, tomato, sod, potato, sugarcane, grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, almond, onion, carrot, berries and cotton.
16 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the soil treatment composition is sprayed onto the plant and/or its surrounding environment using a handheld lawn and garden sprayer.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the method is used for home and garden applications.