Abstract: Methylobacterium strains that enhance early growth of plants, improve propagation/transplant vigor, increase nutrient uptake, improve stand establishment, improve stress tolerance, and/or increase a plant's ability to utilize nutrients are provided herein. Also provided are methods to identify Methylobacterium strains that improve nitrogen use efficiency in various crop plants.

Abstract: Methylobacterium strains that enhance early plant growth and methods of their use are provided herein. Also provided are methods for identifying Methylobacterium strains which can be used to increase the content of one or more mineral nutrient and/or vitamins in a leafy green plant are provided. Also provided are related methods of providing leafy green plants with increased levels of one or more mineral nutrients and/or vitamins, and leafy green plants and harvested greens from said plants having increased levels of one or more mineral nutrients and/or vitamins, as the result of treatment with Methylobacterium strains as provided herein.

Abstract: Planting corn in one or more consecutive growing seasons in the same fields causes a yield reduction (“corn-on-corn yield penalty”). We developed methods and inoculants comprising Penicillium bilaii, to reduce corn-on-corn yield penalty. The disclosure covers the inoculants and methods for reducing corn-on-corn yield penalty.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides yield enhancing compositions comprising Methylobacterium, methods for improving soybean yield, and methods of making the compositions. Also provided are isolated soybean yield enhancing Methylobacterium.

Abstract: Planting corn in one or more consecutive growing seasons in the same fields causes a yield reduction (“corn-on-corn yield penalty”). We developed methods and inoculants comprising Penicillium bilaii, to reduce corn-on-corn yield penalty. The disclosure covers the inoculants and methods for reducing corn-on-corn yield penalty.

Abstract: Methods of evaluating microorganisms to determine efficiency of colonization of a plant or plant part are described. Methods of identifying genetic elements correlated with colonization efficiency of plant-associated microorganism are also provided. Methods to identify microorganisms for use as inoculants for improved plant yield using the colonization screening methods or the presence of genetic elements associated with colonization efficiency are described. Further methods useful for identification of microorganisms useful as inoculants for improving plant yield are presented.

Abstract: Methods for identifying Methylobacterium strains which can be used to increase mineral nutrient, vitamins, oil and/or protein content in plants are provided. Also provided are related methods of providing seed lots, food ingredients, feed ingredients, food, or feed with increased mineral nutrient, vitamins, oil and/or protein content. Methods of providing increased mineral nutrient and/or vitamin content, and/or increased oil and/or protein yield from plant seed lots are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for generating transformed Methlyobacterium isolates are provided. Such methods can be used to develop novel Methylobacterium isolates having improved properties for use in a variety of industrial applications.

Abstract: Planting corn in one or more consecutive growing seasons in the same fields causes a yield reduction (“corn-on-corn yield penalty”). We developed methods and compositions comprising a lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO), to reduce corn-on-corn yield penalty. The disclosure covers the compositions and methods for reducing corn-on-corn yield penalty.

Abstract: Planting corn in one or more consecutive growing seasons in the same fields causes a yield reduction (“corn-on-corn yield penalty”). We developed methods and inoculants comprising Penicillium bilaii, to reduce corn-on-corn yield penalty. The disclosure covers the inoculants and methods for reducing corn-on-corn yield penalty.

Abstract: Microbe combinations, a seed coated with one of the combinations and a plant protected from corn on corn yield penalties by one of the combinations. Further provided as a microbe combination applied to the seed, stalk or leaf that results in an increase in plant yield.

Abstract: Microbe combinations, a seed coated with one of the combinations and a plant protected from corn on corn yield penalties by one of the combinations. Further provided as a microbe combination applied to the seed, stalk or leaf that results in an increase in plant yield.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having pectate lyase (pectinase) activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as pectate lyases to catalyze the beta-elimination or hydrolysis of pectin and/or polygalacturonic acid, such as 1,4-linked alpha-D-galacturonic acid. The invention provides methods of treating fibers, fabrics or any pectate- or polygalacturonic acid-comprising material using one or more pectate lyases of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having pectate lyase (pectinase) activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as pectate lyases to catalyze the beta-elimination or hydrolysis of pectin and/or polygalacturonic acid, such as 1,4-linked alpha-D-galacturonic acid. The invention provides methods of treating fibers, fabrics or any pectate- or polygalacturonic acid-comprising material using one or more pectate lyases of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having pectate lyase (pectinase) activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as pectate lyases to catalyze the beta-elimination or hydrolysis of pectin and/or polygalacturonic acid, such as 1,4-linked alpha-D-galacturonic acid. The invention provides methods of treating fibers, fabrics or any pectate- or polygalacturonic acid-comprising material using one or more pectate lyases of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having amylase activity, and methods for making and using them. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to polypeptides and peptides having an amylase activity, e.g., enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, the use of such polypeptides and peptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides having amylase activity of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of polypeptides having amylase activity, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using them. For example, in one aspect, the invention provides methods for making alcohol using polypeptides of the invention. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, for hydrolyzing a starch, comprising use of polypeptides of the invention, or polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for malting and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. In one aspect, the invention provides delayed release compositions comprising an desired ingredient coated by a latex polymer coating.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having pectate lyase (pectinase) activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as pectate lyases to catalyze the beta-elimination or hydrolysis of pectin and/or polygalacturonic acid, such as 1,4-linked alpha-D-galacturonic acid. The invention provides methods of treating fibers, fabrics or any pectate- or polygalacturonic acid-comprising material using one or more pectate lyases of the invention.