Bacterial inoculants for enhancing plant growth

Abstract

A biological inoculant for enhancing the growth of plants is disclosed. The inoculant includes the bacterial strains Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A, Pantoea agglomerans P101, Pantoea agglomerans P102, Klebsiella pneumoniae 342, Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy, Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15, with or without a carrier. The inoculant also includes strains of the bacterium Pantoea agglomerans and K. pneumoniae which are able to enhance the growth of cereal grasses. Also disclosed are the novel bacterial strains Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A, Pantoea agglomerans P101 and P102, and Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 and zmvsy.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional. Application No. 60/251,137, filed Dec. 4, 2001.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Significant research has been conducted in recent years on the use of biological control agents to increase agricultural productivity and efficiency. These studies have shown that various microorganisms are able to suppress plant pathogens or supplement plant growth, thus offering an attractive alternative to chemical pesticides which are less favored because of their effect on human health and environmental quality.

[0004] Several screening programs have been used to isolate biological control agents effective in facilitating plant growth or combating pests in the laboratory or in the field. An example of one such biological control agent is Bacillus thuringiensis, which has been shown to produce toxic proteins lethal to certain insects. Another example is the bacterial strain Bacillus cereus UW85 (ATCC No. 53522), which has been found to protect alfalfa seedlings from damping off caused by Phytophthora medicaginis, tobacco seedlings from Phytophthora nicotianae, cucumber fruits from rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum, and peanuts from Sclerotinia minor (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,738). In addition, Bacillus cereus AS4-12 (ATCC No. 55609) has been found to increase the efficacy in fostering the growth and establishment of alfalfa plants in the upper mid-western United States (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,138).

[0005] Earlier experiments have shown that strains of Pantoea agglomerans may also be able to increase the yield of legumes and inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi. Hoflich and Ruppel, “Growth stimulation of pea after inoculation with associative bacteria,” Microbiol. Res., 149:99-104 (1994). P. agglomerans (formerly Enterobacter agglomerans) is a Gram-negative Enterobacterium often found associated with plants, water, soil, or foodstuffs. P. agglomerans is also a diazotroph, and able to fix nitrogen in both pure culture and in association with wheat. Merbach et al., “Dinitrogen fixation of microbe-plant associations as affected by nitrate and ammonium supply,” Isotopes Environ. Health Stud., 34:67-73 (1998). It has also been reported to produce two auxins and two cytokines in pure culture. Scholz et al., “Development of DAS-ELISA for some selected bacteria from the rhizosphere,” Zentralbl. Mikrobiol. 146:197-207 (1991); Scholz-Seidel C. and Ruppel S., Nitrogenase and phytohormone activities of Pantoea agglomerans in Culture and their reflection in combination with wheat plants,” Zentralbl. Mikrobiol. 147:319-328 (1992). Even with these studies, however, little is known about the interaction between P. agglomerans and cereal grasses, and whether P. agglomerans may serve as an effective biocontrol agent.

[0006] Klebsiella pneumoniae is also a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae and a known nitrogen fixing bacterium, i.e. able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium. K. pneumoniae is a free-living soil bacterium and unlike other nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, K. pneumoniae does not participate in symbiotic interactions with leguminous plants. K. pneumoniae has also not yet been shown to be effective in enhancing the growth of cereal grasses.

[0007] The mechanisms by which biological control agents are able to increase agricultural productivity and efficiency are diverse, and will vary depending upon the unique characteristics of each particular agent. It is believed, for example, that certain bacteria are able to control root rot in plants by competing with fungi for space on the surface of the plant root. It is also believed that competition between various bacterial strains in a plant's native microflora may stimulate root growth and increase the uptake of mineral nutrients and water to enhance plant yield. Alternatively, toxins produced by certain bacterial species are believed to facilitate plant growth by controlling bacterial species pathogenic to the plant. Bacterially produced antibiotics are an example of such toxins.

[0008] Some have suggested that bacterial strains other than those presently identified may also prove to be beneficial to crop plants. In particular, it is quite possible that some of these bacterial strains may be particularly helpful in cultivating various field crops as a result of relationships formed between plant and bacteria. The present invention discloses several such bacterial strains.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is summarized as a method for enhancing the growth of a plant using an inoculum comprising an effective quantity of bacteria selected from the group consisting of Klebsiella pneumoniae 342, Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy, Pantoea agglomerans P101, Pantoea agglomerans P102, Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A, Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z 152, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15, and any mutations thereof which retain the ability to enhance plant growth. The present invention also includes the bacterial inoculant of the above method, and a plant seed coated with the bacterial inoculant.

[0010] In addition, the present invention includes a method for identifying strains of Pantoea agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumoniae which have the ability to enhance the growth of cereal grasses. Also included is an inoculum comprising the bacterial strains identified by said method and a method for enhancing the growth of cereal grasses using said bacterial strains. The present invention also includes a plant seed coated with the inoculum.

[0011] The present invention is further characterized in that novel bacterial strains capable of enhancing the growth of a plant have been isolated from the environment. These strains include Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A (ATCC No. PTA-2742), Pantoea agglomerans P101 (ATCC No. PTA 2744), Pantoea agglomerans P102 (ATCC No. PTA 2740), Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (ATCC No. PTA-2743), Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy (ATCC No. PTA-2741), and mutations thereof which retain the ability to enhance the growth of plants.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bacterial inoculant effective in facilitating the germination and/or growth of plants.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a biological agent capable of improving crop yield without additional chemical agents.

[0014] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] None.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention is directed toward certain bacterial strains and inoculants capable of enhancing the growth of plants. The bacterial strains utilized in the present invention include Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A, Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152, Pantoea agglomerans P101, Pantoea agglomerans P102, Klebsiella pneumoniae 342, Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15, and any mutations thereof which retain the ability to enhance the growth of plants. Also included are strains of the bacterium P. agglomerans and K. pneumoniae which are able to enhance the growth of cereal grasses as identified by the method described below. As used herein, the above bacterial strains shall sometimes be referred to collectively as “enhancing” bacteria.

[0017] Bacterial strains H. seropedicae 2A, P. agglomerans P101, P. agglomerans P102, K. pneumoniae 342, and K. pneumoniae zmvsy are believed to be new to the world, and were deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (“ATCC”), Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 U.S.A., on Nov. 30, 2000. The bacterial strain H. seropedicae 2A was isolated from a maize plant cultivated in Hancock, Wis. during the summer of 1999, and has been given the ATCC Patent Deposit Designation PTA-2742. P. agglomerans P101 and P. agglomerans P102 were isolated from switch grass plants collected from a remnant prairie near Plover, Wis., and have been given the ATCC Patent Deposit Designation PTA 2744 and PTA 2740, respectively. K. pneumoniae 342 was isolated from a very nitrogen efficient line of maize from Mexico cultured in a greenhouse in Madison, Wis., and has been given the ATCC Patent Deposit Designation PTA-2743. K. pneumoniae zmvsy was isolated in 1994 from a maize plant grown on a farm in Madison, Wis., and has been given the ATCC Patent Deposit Designation PTA-2741.

[0018] Bacterial strains H. seropedicae Z152 (ATCC No. 35894) and G. diazotrophicus PA15 (ATCC No. 49037) were both previously known and available from the ATCC, but never shown to enhance the growth of cereal grasses. Both bacterial strains were isolated in the late 1980s from sugarcane in Brazil.

[0019] It is anticipated that certain mutants of the enhancing bacteria may also enhance plant growth comparable to the non-mutated forms set forth above. Mutants of the enhancing bacteria may include both naturally occurring and artificially induced mutants. Certain of these mutants will be found to enhance cereal grasses or legumes using the plant enhancement assay described below. Others mutants may be induced by subjecting the enhancing bacteria to known mutagens, such as N-methyl-nitrosoguanidine, using conventional methods. Similar mutants have been made from useful Bacillus cereus strains such as UW85 (ATCC No. 53522) and AS4-12 (ATCC No. 55609) as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,877,738 and 5,552,138, respectively, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0020] The data set forth below in the Examples demonstrate that other strains of the bacterium P. agglomerans and K. pneumoniae will also be effective in enhancing the growth of cereal grasses when used in accordance with the present invention. These strains may be isolated using methods commonly known in the art for isolating free-living organisms from the environment, and their ability to enhance plant growth may be verified using any one of many plant enhancement assays.

[0021] The following is a disclosure of one such plant enhancement assay whereby a bacterial isolate, or the like, may be tested for its ability to enhance the growth of a cereal grass next to which it is placed. The seed or seedling of the cereal grass to be enhanced is planted in a planting medium and watered with a nutrient solution. The planting medium may be a damp soil, vermiculite in water, an agar-based formulation, or any other planting medium in which the seed or seedling will grow and develop. The bacterial isolate is placed at least in the immediate vicinity of the seed or seedling. Such placement shall be understood to be in the “immediate vicinity” of the seed or seedling if the bacterial isolate or any soluble exudate of a bacterium being tested will be in actual contact with the germinating seedling. After a time sufficient for seedling growth, seedlings developing from the planted seed may be evaluated for visual evidence of enhanced growth when compared to controls.

[0022] The bacterial inoculants of the present invention act through an unknown mechanism to enhance plant growth. While the mechanism by which these inoculants enhance plant growth is not understood, it is possible that the mechanism involves an antagonistic action by the enhancing bacterium on other organisms which may inhibit and/or retard the germination and growth of the plant seedling. The method of action may alternatively involve a symbiotic relationship of some unknown type.

[0023] It is broadly intended within the scope of the present invention that the bacterial inoculant of the present invention be inoculated into the soil with plant seeds so that a culture of the enhancing bacteria will develop in the root system of the plant as it grows. To facilitate this co-culturing, it is preferred that the inoculant, preferably diluted with a suitable extender or carrier, either be applied to the seeds prior to planting or introduced into the seed furrows when the seeds are planted. The bacterial inoculant so delivered may be any viable bacteria culture capable of successful propagation in the soil.

[0024] One advantageous technique is that the bacterial inoculant be applied to the seeds through the use of a suitable coating mechanism or binder prior to the seeds being sold into commerce for planting. The process of coating seed with such an inoculum is generally well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the enhancing bacteria may be mixed with a porous, chemically inert granular carrier as described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,921 (incorporated herein by reference).

[0025] Alternatively, the bacterial inoculant may be prepared with or without a carrier and sold as a separate inoculant to be inserted directly into the furrows into which the seed is planted. The process for inserting such inoculants directly into the furrows during seed planting is also generally well known in the art.

[0026] The enhancing bacteria may also be obtained in a substantially pure culture. A “substantially pure” culture shall be deemed to include a culture of bacteria containing no other bacterial species in quantities sufficient to interfere with the replication of the culture or be detected by normal bacteriological techniques.

[0027] Whether the bacterial inoculants are coated directly on the seed or inserted into the furrows, the enhancing bacteria is preferably diluted with a suitable carrier or extender so as to make the culture easier to handle and to provide a sufficient quantity of material so as allow easy human handling. For example, a peat based carrier may be used as described by Bosworth et al, “Alfalfa yield response to inoculation with recombinant strains of Rhizobium meliloti carrying an extra copy of dct and/or modified nifA expression,” Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 60:3815-3832 (1994), incorporated herein by reference. In addition, it has been discovered that perlite, vermiculite and charcoal materials are suitable carrier substances. It is believed that many other non-toxic and biologically inert substances of dried or granular nature are also capable of serving as carriers for the enhancing bacteria.

[0028] The density of inoculation of these bacterial cultures onto seed or into the furrows should be sufficient to populate the sub-soil region adjacent to the roots of the plant with viable bacterial growth. An effective amount of bacterial inoculant should be used. An effective amount is that amount sufficient to establish sufficient bacterial growth so that the yield from the plant is increased.

[0029] As stated above, the enhancing bacterial strains are isolated from the roots of exceptionally vigorous plants grown under conventional cultivation practices. Once isolation of the strains was made, the bacterial culture had to be cultivated to generate sufficient quantities of material for proper seed treatment. It has been discovered here that the inoculation of various cereal grasses with the enhancing bacterial strains results in significantly improved growth of the cereal grass plants. As will be appreciated by any person skilled in plant husbandry, the rate of growth or improvement in growth of any given crop is subject to many variables. It has been found here, however, that the co-cultivation of the bacterial inoculant of the present invention with cereal grasses is of significant advantage in at least some typical field conditions. It is believed that this co-cultivation technique will result generally in improved yield and improved growth of cereal grasses in field applications.

[0030] It is also anticipated that the inoculation of various legumes with the enhancing bacterial strains may result in significantly improved growth of legume plants.

[0031] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that a bacterial inoculant of the type described herein offers several significant potential advantages over the chemical inoculants or growth hormones or similar agents commonly used in agriculture today. By the very nature of the bacterial inoculant, the enhancing bacterial strains are self-sustaining in a continuous fashion once they are introduced into the furrows with the plant seed. Therefore, there is no need for retreatment of the plants during the crop season. The bacterium grows in cultivation along with the plants and should continue to exhibit its beneficial effect on the plant throughout the agricultural season. This is in strong contrast to chemical growth agents or fungicides which must be retreated periodically to have a continuing effect on inhibition of the fungus in question or to help improve the plant growth throughout its life cycle. Since the bacterial inoculant of the present invention can be inoculated onto the seeds using a dry or wet formulation, the application of this technique is relatively simple to the farmer since the seeds can be inoculated prior to distribution. In this way, a significant economic advantage is achievable.

[0032] The following non-limited examples are intended to illustrate the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0033] The bacterial strains which make up the bacterial inoculants of the present invention were isolated (or obtained from the ATCC in the case of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 and Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152) and grown in culture on petri dishes at 28° C. to create crop inoculating propagules. The culturing media used for Klebsiella pneumoniae 342, Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy, Pantoea agglomerans P101 and Pantoea agglomerans P102 was Luria-Bertani medium. The medium used for Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 was AcD medium, which contains per liter: 0.64 g K2HPO4, 0.16 g KH2PO4, 0.2 g MgSO4.7H2O, 0.2 g g CaSO4.2H2O, 20 g sucrose, 2 mg NaMoO4, 3 mg FeSO4, 2 g MES buffer, 1 g malic acid, and 0.1 g yeast extract. This medium was adjusted to pH 6.5 prior to autoclaving. Bacterial strains Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A and Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152 were cultured on BSM medium as described by Bergersen et al., “The Growth of Rhizobium in Synthetic Medium,” Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 14:349-360 (1961). All media contained 15 g/L of agar.

[0034] Wheat seeds from three cultivars (Trenton, Russ, and Stoa) were inoculated with the bacterial propagules to determine each bacterial strains' ability to affect plant growth. Seeds were first surface sterilized using 70% ethanol for 30 seconds and 10% bleach for 2 minutes, followed by 6 washes with sterile water. A cell suspension of approximately 108 cells/ml was then added to the seeds for a few hours prior to planting to inoculate the wheat seeds.

[0035] Inoculated and uninoculated wheat seeds were planted approximately 1 cm deep in pots containing 2 liters of a 1:1 sand/vermicullite mixture. Plants were watered with a nutrient solution described by Chelius et al., “Immunolocalization of dinitrogenase reductase produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae in association with Zea mays L.,” Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 66:783-787 (2000), containing all essential nutrients except nitrogen. Four seeds were planted per pot which were thinned to two plants per pot after two weeks.

[0036] After six weeks of growth, the above ground portions of the plants were harvested, placed in a paper bag, and dried for one week in driers at about 80° C. After drying, the plants were weighed. The values shown in Table 1 below were obtained by comparing the average dry weight of the treated plants to the average dry weight of untreated plants. 1 TABLE 1 Changes in Dry-Shoot Weight of Wheat by Inoculation with Bacterial Inoculants Wheat Ave. Dry Weight Dry Weight Cultivar Bacterial Inoculant (mg/plant) Difference Trenton Uninoculated .257 — K. pneumoniae 342 .789 .532 K. pneumoniae zmvsy .500 .243 H. seropedicae 152 .455 .198 H. seropedicae 2A .440 .183 P. agglomerans 101 .747 .490 P. agglomerans 102 .601 .344 G. diazotrophicus PA15 .382 .125 Russ Uninoculated .402 — K. pneumoniae 342 .416 .014 K. pneumoniae zmvsy .467 .065 H. seropedicae 152 .400 −.002 H. seropedicae 2A .454 .052 P. agglomerans 101 .545 .143 P. agglomerans 102 .672 .270 G. diazotrophicus PA15 .392 −.010 Stoa Uninoculated .269 — K. pneumoniae 342 .380 .111 K. pneumoniae zmvsy .253 −.016 H. seropedicae 152 .336 .067 H. seropedicae 2A .213 −.056 P. agglomerans 101 .429 .160 P. agglomerans 102 .472 .203 G. diazotrophicus PA15 .299 .030

Example 2

[0037] Field tests of corn were performed at the University of Wisconsin Hancock Agricultural Research Station (Hancock, Wis.) in which maize seeds of different varieties were inoculated with bacterial inoculants of the present invention.

[0038] The bacterial strains used were isolated (or obtained from the ATCC in the case of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 and Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152) and grown in culture on petri dishes at 28° C. to create crop inoculating propagules. Most strains were cultured on Bergersen's synthetic medium (Bergersen F. J., “The growth of Rhizobium in synthetic media,” Aust. J. Biol. Sci., 14:349-360 (1961)). Bacterial strains Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 and Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy were cultured on Luria-Bertani medium (Sambrook et al., “Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual,” (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989)). Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 was cultured on AcD medium (Burris R. H., “Comparative study of the response of Azotobacter vinelandii and Acetobacter diazotrophicus to changes in pH,” Protoplasma, 183:62-66 (1994)).

[0039] Maize seeds were inoculated prior to planting by coating 1 kg of seeds with a 125 mL bacterial suspension in 8 grams of peat (0.566 gCaCO3, 0.288 g charcoal, 10 mL 40% Vitalive (Research Seeds Inc., St. Joseph, Mo., USA) in a plastic bag. The cell suspension contained approximately 8×108 cells per mL to ensure an inoculum density of 108 cells per seed. Cell number per seed was verified after inoculation by suspending seeds in water and plating various dilutions on the appropriate medium. The seeds included seeds from maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17; the hybrid B73×Mo17; two lines with a significant teosinte background, ¼ teosinte background, and ½ teosinte background; and various hybrid lines from Pioneer.

[0040] Seeds were planted within 48 hours of inoculation in rows thirty feet in length, with 30 seeds planted per row. Rows were approximately 36 inches apart. Weeds were controlled chemically by standard agricultural practices for the region. Fertilizer was applied prior to planting at rates of 17.2 g m−2 P2O5 and 51.5 g m−2 K2O. Where nitrogen was applied, it was applied at a rate of 224 kg NH4NO3 ha−1 prior to planting. An uninoculated control was included with each maize line.

[0041] After the growing season, the treated corn was harvested and grain weight and moisture measured for each plot. Yield was determined as grain yield in t ha−1, standardized to 15.5% moisture. Grain was harvested with a combine equipped with a HarvestMaster data logger (HarvestMaster, Inc., Logan, Utah, USA) for the determination of weight and moisture levels of the grain from each plot. The values shown in Table 2 below illustrate the increased yield per acre (or hectare), after correcting for moisture levels. Grain yield is expressed in metric t ha−1. Only those combinations where statistically significant increases were obtained are listed. 2 TABLE 2 Yield Increase of Corn by Inoculation with Bacterial Inoculants N Yield % Yield Year Corn Variety Bacterial Inoculant (+/−) (t ha−1) Increase 1998 Pioneer 3905 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 10.6 12.0 Pioneer 3905 G. diazotrophicus PA15 + 9.96 5.4 Pioneer 3905 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 10.8 13.9 B73 × Mo17 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 8.67 14.4 B73 × Mo17 G. diazotrophicus PA15 + 9.50 25.3 B73 × Mo17 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 8.40 10.7 ½ teosinte H. Seropedicae Z152 + 6.04 10.4 ½ teosinte K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 6.31 15.3 Pioneer 3921 G. diazotrophicus PA15 − 5.8 18.1 1999 Pioneer 3751 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 7.81 13.4 Pioneer 3751 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 8.2 18.7 Pioneer 36H36 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 7.17 8.0 Pioneer 36H36 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 6.64 10.6 Pioneer 3921 H. Seropedicae Z152 − 2.88 18.2 Pioneer 3921 G. diazotrophicus PA15 − 5.08 18.1 Pioneer 3921 P. agglomerans P101 − 2.6 13.1 Pioneer 3921 P. agglomerans P103 − 2.96 30.1 Pioneer 3905 K. pneumoniae 342 − 3.14 22.0 B73 × Mo17 P. agglomerans P102 − 1.53 19.9

Example 3

[0042] Additional field tests were performed at the University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station (Arlington, Wis.) in a manner similar to Example 2. After the growing season, the treated corn was harvested and grain weight and moisture measured for each plot. The values shown in Table 3 below illustrate the increased yield per acre (or hectare), after correcting for moisture levels. Grain yield is expressed in metric t ha−1. Only those combinations where statistically significant increases were obtained are listed. 3 TABLE 3 Yield Increase of Corn by Inoculation with Bacterial Inoculants N Yield % Yield Year Corn Variety Bacterial Inoculant (+/−) (t ha−1) Increase 1998 Pioneer 3905 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 8.96 19.5 Pioneer 3921 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 8.75 8.5 ½ teosinte H. Seropedicae Z152 + 4.46 8.3 1999 Pioneer 36H36 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 7.66 18.8 Pioneer 36H36 G. diazotrophicus PA15 + 7.88 23.4 Pioneer 36H36 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 7.58 18.6 Pioneer 3921 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 6.77 13.2 Pioneer 3921 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 6.72 7.3 Pioneer 3905 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 6.78 12.6 Pioneer 3905 G. diazotrophicus PA15 + 6.92 14.4 Pioneer 3905 K. pneumoniae 342 + 6.68 30.5 Pioneer 3905 P. agglomerans P103 + 6.04 18.0 Pioneer S1501 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 7.55 17.5 B73 × Mo17 P. agglomerans P103 + 6.27 9.4 2000 Pioneer 36H36 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 15.51 7.3 Pioneer 36H36 P. agglomerans P103 + 13.56 17.8 Pioneer 3921 K. pneumoniae zmvsy + 15.9 20.0 Pioneer 3921 H. Seropedicae Z152 + 14.86 12.1

Example 4

[0043] Additional field tests were performed at the University of Wisconsin Lancaster Agricultural Research Station (Lancaster, Wis.) in a manner similar to Examples 2 and 3. Plots in four other states, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska were established with the same design. All tests included the application of nitrogen as described above. After the growing season, the treated corn was harvested and grain weight and moisture measured for each plot. The values shown in Table 4 below illustrate the increased yield per acre (or hectare), after correcting for moisture levels. Grain yield is expressed in metric t ha−1. Only those combinations where statistically significant increases were obtained are listed. 4 TABLE 4 Yield Increase of Corn by Inoculation with Bacterial Inoculants Yield % Yield Year Corn Variety Bacterial Inoculant Location (t ha−1) Increase 2000 Pioneer 36H36 K. pneumoniae 342 Lancaster 16.39 25.8 Pioneer 36H36 H. Seropedicae Z152 Iowa 8.89 10.7 Pioneer 36H36 H. Seropedicae Z152 Nebraska 9.77 1.8 Pioneer 36H36 H. Seropedicae Z152 Illinois 11.07 6.4 Pioneer 36H36 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Iowa 9.25 15.2 Pioneer 36H36 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Nebraska 9.83 2.4 Pioneer 36H36 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Illinois 11.18 7.4 Pioneer 36H36 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Indiana 8.4 8.1 Pioneer 36H36 P. agglomerans P103 Iowa 8.94 11.3 Pioneer 36H36 P. agglomerans P103 Illinois 10.74 3.2 Pioneer 33A14 H. Seropedicae Z152 Iowa 10.77 1.6 Pioneer 33A14 H. Seropedicae Z152 Nebraska 10.24 4.7 Pioneer 33A14 H. Seropedicae Z152 Illinois 12.82 19.6 Pioneer 33A14 H. Seropedicae Z152 Indiana 10.03 8.1 Pioneer 33A14 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Iowa 11.09 1.6 Pioneer 33A14 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Nebraska 9.88 1.0 Pioneer 33A14 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Illinois 12.46 16.2 Pioneer 33A14 G. diazotrophicus PA15 Indiana 9.41 1.4 Pioneer 33A14 P. agglomerans P103 Nebraska 10.17 4.0 Pioneer 33A14 P. agglomerans P103 Illinois 12.63 17.8 Pioneer 33A14 P. agglomerans P103 Indiana 10.60 14.2

Example 5

[0044] Rice seeds were inoculated with the bacterial inoculants as described in Example 1 above to determine each bacterial strains' ability to affect the growth of rice plants. Seeds were first surface sterilized using 70% ethanol for 30 seconds and 10% bleach for 2 minutes, followed by 6 washes with sterile water. A cell suspension of approximately 108 cells/ml was then added to the seeds to inoculate the seeds for a few hours prior to planting.

[0045] Inoculated and uninoculated rice seeds were planted approximately 1 cm deep in pots containing 2 liters of a 1:1 sand/vermicullite mixture. Plants were watered with a nutrient solution described by Chelius et al., “Immunolocalization of dinitrogenase reductase produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae in association with Zea mays L.,” Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 66:783-787 (2000), containing all essential nutrients except nitrogen. Four seeds were planted per pot which were thinned to two plants per pot after two weeks.

[0046] After six weeks of growth, the rice shoots of the plants were harvested, placed in a paper bag, and dried for one week in driers at about 80° C. After drying, the plants were weighed. The values shown in Table 5 below were obtained by comparing the average dry weight of the treated plants to the average dry weight of untreated plants. 5 TABLE 5 Changes in Dry-Shoot Weight of Rice by Inoculation with Bacterial Inoculants Ave. Dry Weight Dry Weight Bacterial Inoculant (mg/plant) Difference Uninoculated 240.4 — K. pneumoniae 342 247.4 7.0 P. agglomerans 101 376.5 136.1 P. agglomerans 102 273.3 32.9 G. diazotrophicus PA15 248.2 7.8

Claims

1. An inoculum for application to plants, said inoculum comprising a carrier and an effective quantity of bacteria, the bacteria selected from Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A (ATCC No. PTA-2742), Pantoea agglomerans P101 (ATCC No. PTA 2744), Pantoea agglomerans P102 (ATCC No. PTA 2740), Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (ATCC No. PTA-2743), Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy (ATCC No. PTA-2741), Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152 (ATCC No. 35894), Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 (ATCC No. 49037) and mutant strains derived therefrom, said mutant strains able to enhance the growth of plants.

2. An inoculum for application to plants, the inoculum comprising a carrier and an effective quantity of a Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial strain.

3. An inoculum for application to plants other than legume plants, the inoculum comprising a carrier and an effective quantity of a Pantoea agglomerans bacterial strain.

4. A biologically pure bacterial culture wherein the bacteria is selected from Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A (ATCC No. PTA-2742), Pantoea agglomerans P101 (ATCC No. PTA 2744), Pantoea agglomerans P102 (ATCC No. PTA 2740), Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (ATCC No. PTA-2743), and Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy (ATCC No. PTA-2741).

5. A biologically pure culture of a mutant strain, the mutant strain derived from either Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A (ATCC No. PTA-2742), Pantoea agglomerans P101 (ATCC No. PTA 2744), Pantoea agglomerans P102 (ATCC No. PTA 2740), Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (ATCC No. PTA-2743), or Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy (ATCC No. PTA-2741), wherein the mutant strain retains the ability to enhance the growth of plants.

6. A method for enhancing the growth of a plant, the method comprising the step of placing in the vicinity of the plant an effective quantity of bacteria, the bacteria selected from Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A (ATCC No. PTA-2742), Pantoea agglomerans P101 (ATCC No. PTA 2744), Pantoea agglomerans P102 (ATCC No. PTA 2740), Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (ATCC No. PTA-2743), Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy (ATCC No. PTA-2741), Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152 (ATCC No. 35894), Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 (ATCC No. 49037) and mutant strains derived therefrom, said mutant strains able to enhance the growth of plants.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the plant is either a cereal grass plant or a legume plant.

8. A method for enhancing the growth of a plant, the method comprising the step of placing in the vicinity of the plant an effective quantity of a Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial strain.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the plant is either a cereal grass plant or a legume plant.

10. A method for enhancing the growth of a plant other than a legume plant, the method comprising the step of placing in the vicinity of the plant an effective quantity of a Pantoea agglomerans bacterial strain.

11. A seed from a cereal grass plant coated with an effective quantity of bacteria to enhance growth, the bacteria selected from Herbaspirillum seropedicae 2A (ATCC No. PTA-2742), Pantoea agglomerans P101 (ATCC No. PTA 2744), Pantoea agglomerans P102 (ATCC No. PTA 2740), Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (ATCC No. PTA-2743), Klebsiella pneumoniae zmvsy (ATCC No. PTA-2741), Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z152 (ATCC No. 35894), Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus PA15 (ATCC No. 49037) and mutant strains derived therefrom.

12. The seed of claim 11 wherein the coating also includes a carrier for the bacteria.

13. A method for identifying Pantoea agglomerans and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial strains having the ability to enhance the growth of a cereal grass plant, said method comprising the steps of:

isolating a bacterial isolate wherein the isolate is either a Pantoea agglomerans bacterial strain or a Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial strain;

planting a cereal grass seed or a cereal grass seedling with said test material in a planting medium;

growing said planted cereal grass seed or said cereal grass seedling for a time sufficient to allow for a growing seedling to develop and be evaluated for growth enhancement; and

evaluating the growing seedling for evidence of enhanced growth when compared to a growing seedling grown in the absence of the test material.

14. An inoculum for application to plants, the inoculum comprising a carrier and an effective quantity of bacteria wherein the bacteria is identified according to the method of claim 13.

15. A method for enhancing the growth of a cereal grass plant, said method comprising the steps of placing in the vicinity of the plant an effective quantity of bacteria wherein the bacteria is identified to enhance the growth of a cereal grass plant according to the method of claim 13.

16. A seed from a cereal grass plant coated with an effective quantity of the bacteria identified according to the method of claim 13.

17. The seed of claim 16 wherein the coating also includes a carrier for the bacteria.