Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to novel Bacillus strains ENV 734 (NRRL B-50800), ENV 735 (NRRL B-50801), ENV 736 (NRRL B-50802), and ENV 737 (NRRL B-50803). These strains possess a high degree of homology with both Bacillus simplex and Bacillus butanolivorans, but unexpectedly exhibit desirable high salt tolerance as well as low temperature growth and urease production. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one of such strains and an acceptable carrier, and methods of preparing the compositions. Such compositions are suitable for use in industrial, agricultural, aquacultural, environmental, wastewater treatment and/or probiotic applications. Methods for enhancing the growth of a plant propagative material and methods for treating wastewater are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a plant or plant part coated with a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound. In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing the growth of a plant or plant part comprising coating such plant or plant part with such a composition. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound where such components are maintained in an inactive form. The present invention also relates to use of the compositions in wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, oil recovery, aquaculture systems, and direct fed microbials.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a dried intimate mixture comprising a bacteria spore and a germinative compound, and methods for preparing the intimate mixture. In another aspect, this invention is directed to a composition comprising such an intimate mixture. The invention also relates to methods for increasing the germination, growth, metabolism, and/or enzyme activity of a bacteria spore comprising preparing an intimate mixture of a bacteria spore and a germinative compound.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to novel Bacillus strains ENV 734 (NRRL B-50800), ENV 735 (NRRL B-50801), ENV 736 (NRRL B-50802), and ENV 737 (NRRL B-50803). These strains possess a high degree of homology with both Bacillus simplex and Bacillus butanolivorans, but unexpectedly exhibit desirable high salt tolerance as well as low temperature growth and urease production. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one of such strains and an acceptable carrier, and methods of preparing the compositions. Such compositions are suitable for use in industrial, agricultural, aquacultural, environmental, wastewater treatment and/or probiotic applications. Methods for enhancing the growth of a plant propagative material and methods for treating wastewater are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a dried intimate mixture comprising a bacteria spore and a germinative compound, and methods for preparing the intimate mixture. In another aspect, this invention is directed to a composition comprising such an intimate mixture. The invention also relates to methods for increasing the germination, growth, metabolism, and/or enzyme activity of a bacteria spore comprising preparing an intimate mixture of a bacteria spore and a germinative compound.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to novel Bacillus strains ENV 734 (NRRL B-50800), ENV 735 (NRRL B-50801), ENV 736 (NRRL B-50802), and ENV 737 (NRRL B-50803). These strains possess a high degree of homology with both Bacillus simplex and Bacillus butanolivorans, but unexpectedly exhibit desirable high salt tolerance as well as low temperature growth and urease production. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one of such strains and an acceptable carrier, and methods of preparing the compositions. Such compositions are suitable for use in industrial, agricultural, aquacultural, environmental, wastewater treatment and/or probiotic applications. Methods for enhancing the growth of a plant propagative material and methods for treating wastewater are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a plant or plant part coated with a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound. In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing the growth of a plant or plant part comprising coating such plant or plant part with such a composition. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound where such components are maintained in an inactive form. The present invention also relates to use of the compositions in wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, oil recovery, aquaculture systems, and direct fed microbials.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a plant or plant part coated with a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound. In another aspect the present invention is directed to a method of enhancing the growth of a plant or plant part comprising coating such plant or plant part with such a composition. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising a bacterial spore and a germinative compound where such components are maintained in an inactive form. The present invention also relates to use of the compositions in wastewater treatment, environmental remediation, oil recovery, aquaculture systems, and direct fed microbials.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to novel Bacillus strains ENV 734 (NRRL B-50800), ENV 735 (NRRL B-50801), ENV 736 (NRRL B-50802), and ENV 737 (NRRL B-50803). These strains possess a high degree of homology with both Bacillus simplex and Bacillus butanolivorans, but unexpectedly exhibit desirable high salt tolerance as well as low temperature growth and urease production. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one of such strains and an acceptable carrier, and methods of preparing the compositions. Such compositions are suitable for use in industrial, agricultural, aquacultural, environmental, wastewater treatment and/or probiotic applications. Methods for enhancing the growth of a plant propagative material and methods for treating wastewater are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a dried intimate mixture comprising a bacteria spore and a germinative compound, and methods for preparing the intimate mixture. In another aspect, this invention is directed to a composition comprising such an intimate mixture. The invention also relates to methods for increasing the germination, growth, metabolism, and/or enzyme activity of a bacteria spore comprising preparing an intimate mixture of a bacteria spore and a germinative compound.