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 of increasing corn yield, said method comprising introducing Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 into soil in which corn will be grown, wherein the introduction of Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 into said soil synergistically increases the yield of corn grown in said soil.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is introduced into said soil in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is introduced into said soil in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is introduced into said soil in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil and wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is introduced into said soil in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are introduced into said soil as part of a composition 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 introduced into said soil as part of a composition 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 introduced into said soil as part of a seed that is coated with a composition comprising Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are introduced into said soil in an amount ranging from 1×10 6 to 1×10 11 colony forming units per hectare.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising introducing a source of phosphorous into said soil.
10. A composition for increasing corn yield, said composition comprising Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 , Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 and a carrier,
wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are present in said composition in amounts sufficient to cause a synergistic yield increase when said composition is introduced into soil in which corn will be grown.
11. The composition of claim 10 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is present in said composition in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil.
12. The composition of claim 10 , wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is present in said composition in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil.
13. The composition of claim 10 , wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 is present in said composition in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil and wherein said Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 is present in said composition in an amount that is insufficient to increase the yield of corn grown in said soil as compared to corn grown in untreated soil.
14. The composition of claim 10 , wherein said carrier is a peat-based powder or granule.
15. The composition of claim 10 , wherein said carrier is a liquid carrier.
16. A seed coated with the composition of claim 10 .
17. The seed of claim 16 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are present on said seed in an amount ranging from 1×10 1 to 1×10 8 colony forming units per seed.
18. The seed of claim 16 , wherein Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50162 and Penicillium bilaiae NRRL 50169 are present on said seed in an amount ranging from 1×10 2 to 1×10 6 colony forming units per seed.
19. A method comprising introducing the composition of claim 10 into a soil.
20. A method comprising planting the seed of claim 16 in a soil.