Patent
According to the present invention new isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum have been isolated and possess unique properties. These Bradyrhizobia are plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR), possess superior tolerance/resistance to desiccation, and enhance the overall performance of leguminous plant growth.
1. A biologically pure culture of a mutagenized Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain selected from the group consisting of:
the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50612;
the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50611;
the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50610;
the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50609;
and the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50608.
2. A composition comprising one or more mutagenized Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain(s) according to claim 1 and an agriculturally suitable carrier.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the composition includes at least one agriculturally beneficial ingredient.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein said at least one agriculturally beneficial ingredient includes one or more plant signal molecules.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein said one or more plant signal molecules includes a lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO).
6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the LCO is synthetic.
7. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the LCO is recombinant.
8. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the LCO is naturally occurring.
9. The composition of claim 4 , wherein said one or more plant signal molecules includes a chitinous compound.
10. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the chitinous compound is a chito-oligomer (CO).
11. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the CO is synthetic.
12. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the CO is recombinant.
13. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the CO is naturally occurring.
14. The composition of claim 4 , wherein said one or more plant signal molecules includes a flavonoid.
15. A seed coated with a composition comprising one or more mutagenized Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain(s) according to claim 1 .
16. The composition of claim 15 , wherein the composition includes at least one agriculturally beneficial ingredient.
17. The composition of claim 16 , wherein said at least one agriculturally beneficial ingredient includes one or more plant signal molecules.