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 method comprising applying Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 to cereal seed in amounts effective to synergistically increase the growth and/or yield of plants grown from said seed when said seed is planted in a soil.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is applied to said seed in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is applied to said seed in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is applied to said seed in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants and wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is applied to said seed in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are applied to said seed as part of an inoculum comprising Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 and a peat-based powder or granule.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are applied to said seed as part of an inoculum comprising Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162, Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 and a liquid carrier.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are applied to said seed in an amount ranging from 1×10 2 to 1×10 6 colony forming units per seed.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are applied to said seed at a rate of about 1.50×10 5 colony forming units per seed.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising introducing said cereal seed into said soil.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising introducing a phosphorous source into said soil.
11. Cereal seed coated with an inoculum comprising Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 in amounts effective to synergistically increase the growth and/or yield of plants grown from said seed when said seed is planted in a soil.
12. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is present in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants.
13. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is present in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants.
14. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is present in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants and wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is present in an amount that is itself insufficient to increase the yield of said plants.
15. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein said inoculum comprises a peat-based powder or granule.
16. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein said inoculum comprises a liquid carrier.
17. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are present in an amount ranging from 1×10 2 to 1×10 6 colony forming units per seed.
18. The cereal seed of claim 11 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are present at a rate of about 1.50×10 5 colony forming units per seed.
19. A method comprising introducing the cereal seed of claim 11 into a soil.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising introducing a phosphorous source into said soil.