Methods and compositions for increasing the amounts of phosphorus available for plant uptake from soils
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.
1. A composition to be applied to a soil and/or pant seed, said composition comprising at least two strains of Penicillium and a carrier, said at least two strains of Penicillium comprising ATCC 20851, ATCC 22348, ATCC 18309, NRRL 50162, NRRL 50169 and/or NRRL 50170, wherein application of said composition to said soil and/or seed increases the amount of phosphorous available for plant uptake as compared to application of a control composition comprising only one of the at least two strains of Penicillium.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least two strains of Penicillium comprises NRRL 50162.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least two strains of Penicillium comprises NRRL 50169.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least two strains of Penicillium comprises NRRL 50170.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least two strains of Penicillium comprises NRRL 50162 and NRRL 50169.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said at least two strains of Penicillium comprises NRRL 50162 and NRRL 50170.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said carrier is a liquid.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said carrier is a dry powder.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said carrier comprises a peat-based powder or granule.
10. A seed coated with the composition of claim 1 .
11. A seed coated with the composition of claim 2 .
12. A seed coated with the composition of claim 3 .
13. A seed coated with the composition of claim 4 .
14. A seed coated with the composition of claim 5 .
15. A seed coated with the composition of claim 6 .
16. The seed of claim 10 , wherein said seed is coated with 1×10 1 to 1×10 8 colony forming units of said at least two strains of Penicillium.
17. The seed of claim 10 , wherein said seed is coated with 1×10 2 to 1×10 6 colony forming units of said at least two strains of Penicillium.
18. The seed of claim 5 , wherein said seed is coated with 1×10 1 to 1×10 8 colony forming units of said at least two strains of Penicillium.
19. The seed of claim 5 , wherein said seed is coated with 1×10 2 to 1×10 6 colony forming units of said at least two strains of Penicillium.
20. The seed of claim 6 , wherein said seed is coated with 1×10 1 to 1×10 8 colony forming units of said at least two strains of Penicillium.
21. The seed of claim 6 , wherein said seed is coated with 1×10 2 to 1×10 6 colony forming units of said at least two strains of Penicillium.
22. A method comprising planting the seed of claim 10 in a soil.
23. A method comprising planting the seed of claim 14 in a soil.
24. A method comprising planting the seed of claim 15 in a soil.