Polymeric compositions containing rhizobium and/or plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria inoculant, use thereof and seeds treated with the compositions
Biological nitrogen fixation is a very important process to plant growth and health. Biological nitrogen fixation is performed naturally by a number of different microorganisms including plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and rhizobia . The present invention discloses novel compositions comprising water soluble polymers, rhizobium and plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria. Uses of the novel composition include treatment of seeds prior to planting and use in soil surrounding roots to improve plant growth and health.
1. A polymeric composition containing rhizobium and Herbaspirillum spp inoculants comprising:
(a) an aqueous suspension containing cells of microorganisms of the genus rhizobium and Herbaspirillum spp;
(b) a vehicle, in gel form, comprising a mixture of carboxymethylcellulose and starch, wherein the concentration of carboxymethylcellulose in the carboxymethylcellulose/starch mixture is above 50%;
(c) water in sufficient quantity to form the polymeric composition and maintain the viability of the cells of microorganisms of the genus rhizobium and the viability of the Herbaspirillum spp with the proviso that said cells of microorganisms of the genus rhizobium and said Herbaspirillum spp are not antagonistic to each other.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the suspension containing cells of microorganisms of the genus rhizobium and Herbaspirillurn spp is first sterilized.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the vehicle, in gel form, is first sterilized.
4. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a mixture compatibility agent comprising 1% zinc oxide.
5. The composition of claim 1 further comprising nutrient additives or growth factors selected from the group consisting from sugars, amino-acids, proteins, salts and mixtures thereof.
6. The composition of claim 1 further comprising adjuvants selected from osmotic-regulator agents, buffer agents, and pH correctors.
7. A method of treating seeds to propagate rhizobium and Herbaspirillum spp wherein the composition of claim 1 is applied to seeds to be planted.
8. A method of facilitating symbiosis of rhizobia cells and roots wherein the composition of claim 1 is applied to soil surrounding plant roots.
9. Seeds of leguminous or non-leguminous plants wherein said seeds are treated with the composition of claim 1 .
10. A polymeric composition containing an inoculant of Herbaspirillum spp comprising:
(a) an aqueous suspension containing cells of Herbaspirillum spp;
(b) a vehicle, in gel form, comprising a mixture of carboxymethylcellulose and starch, wherein the concentration of carboxymethylcellulose in the carboxymethylcellulose/starch mixture is above 50%;
(c) water in sufficient quantity to form the polymeric composition and maintain the viability of the cells of Herbaspirillum spp.
11. The composition of claim 10 wherein the suspension containing cells of Herbaspirillum spp is first sterilized.
12. The composition of claim 10 wherein the vehicle, in gel form, is first sterilized.
13. The composition of claim 10 further comprising a mixture compatibility agent comprising 1% zinc oxide.
14. The composition of claim 10 further comprising nutrient additives or growth factors selected from the group consisting from sugars, amino-acids, proteins, salts and mixtures thereof.
15. The composition of claim 10 further comprising adjuvants selected from osmotic-regulator agents, buffer agents, and pH correctors.
16. A method of treating seeds to propagate rhizobium and Herbaspirillum spp wherein the composition of claim 10 is applied to seeds to be planted.
17. A method of facilitating symbiosis of rhizobia cells and roots wherein the composition of claim 10 is applied to soil surrounding plant roots.
18. Seeds of leguminous or non-leguminous plants wherein said seeds are treated with the composition of claim 10 .