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: 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.

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: 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.