Abstract: A composite is prepared which includes a substantially water-insoluble particulate or fibrous support having a surface energy of at least about 19 dynes per cm to which nitrogen-fixing filamentous heterocystous blue-green algae are attached. The support does not have a deleterious effect on the viability of the attached algae, and is preferably polypropylene or cellulosic. Preparing the composite includes contacting the support with blue-green algae to permit the algae to attach to the support by means of heterocyst cells. The attached cells in a nitrogen-deficient environment, fix nitrogen at a rate substantially greater than unattached cells, and have agricultural applications.

Abstract: Compost, e.g. hardwood bark, is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium, and/or diseases caused thereby by adding to the compost, desirably after peak heating has been achieved but before substantial recolonization of the compost by mesophilic microorganisms has occurred, one or more microorganisms antagonistic to the plant pathogen. Container media also is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens and/or diseases caused thereby by amending the media with the just-described prepared suppressive compost or, alternatively, by amending separately with the compost and with Trichoderma fungus and antagonistic bacterium separately or mixed together. Desirably, the inoculated antagonistic microorganisms comprise Trichoderma hamatum species A.T.C.C. No. 20765 or 20764, together with Xanthomonas maltophilia bacterium species A.T.C.C. No. 53199 or a Flavobacterium balustinum isolate 299, A.T.C.C. No. 53198 species, A.T.C.C. No. 53198.

Abstract: A method of preparing inocula of low water activity is disclosed. The inocula are prepared by admixing microorganisms with a polymer gel and lowering and maintaining the water activity below 0.3, preferably below 0.1. These inocula are useful in the treatment of plant disease, particularly crown gall and Dutch elm diseases, as well as in the biological control of insects.

Abstract: A new Pseudomonas gladioli having the identifying characteristics of Bikohken-kin No. 8805 has been discovered. The microorganism is a new bacteria separated from a bulb and roots of Miltonia. For separation, the bulb and roots of Miltonia are ground in a 1% solution of peptone followed by a streak culture on a bouillon agar at 25.degree. C. for 48-96 hours, and the colonies thus grown are isolated. This microorganism is inoculated into a bulb and roots of a plant selected from the group consisting of Welsh onion, sorgo, oats and maize. The plants inoculated with the grown microorganisms are grown together within the radius of rhizosphere of a plant to be protected (or companion or mixed crop) for further multiplication of Pseudomonas gladioli M-2196 in order to control soil borne plant diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Very strong antibacterial activity on Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillum dahliae, Corynebacterium michiganese pv. michiganese, Sclerotium cepivorum etc. is observed.

Abstract: A biological inoculant is disclosed for facilitating and fostering the growth of edible corn plants. The inoculant includes spores of strains of Trichoderma hamatum and Trichoderma harzianum, with or without a carrier.

Abstract: Microbiol compositions for uniform application to dry soil to provide a cover crop and to improve soil aggregation are disclosed. The compositions comprise flocculant-producing photosynthetic microorganisms, especially algae, in a dormant or resting stage mixed with a dry, particulate, water dispersible carrier. Methods for the production and use of the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A soil-activating agent for extreme soils, for instance soils with very little organic substances or none at all and/or high contents of salts and/or heavy metals, is characterized by the combination of a fungal mycelium biomass and the tertiary system nitrogen-base/sugar-type/phosphoric-acid. This agent is characterized by an especially rapid and dense greening of extreme soils, in particular those with very little or no organic substances, and in that additional content of deleterious materials can be tolerated.

Abstract: Novel bacteria strains are described which are created by the introduction of DNA encoding for the production of chitinase, an enzyme capable of degrading chitin present in fungi and nematodes. The strains have utility in producing chitinase for the purpose of inhibiting plant pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for suppressing the nitrification of ammonium nitrogen in plant growth medium or soil and compositions which conserve soil nitrogen and supply soil nitrogen requirements necessary for plant nutrition.

Abstract: Nodulation-enhancing mutants of Rhizobium species are prepared by growing a wild-type strain in a medium as the only carbon source at a sub-minimum concentration for normal growth, the mutant cells thus obtained are further selected by comparative nodulation to obtain mutants which produce two to three times as many nodules as the corresponding wild-type strain.

Abstract: A novel natural fertilizer and method of its use are provided. The fertilizer acts to increase the yield of food crop producing plants. The fertilizer comprises less than 0.05% of an active agent in a stable carrier that is non-toxic to the plants and the active agent. The active agent is a fungus of the genus Aspergillus. The fertilizer can be used by coating the seeds of the food crop producing plant at or prior to the time of planting by dusting the ends of a cut plant, by dusting the roots of a seedling, or by treating the soil in which the plant will be grown.

Abstract: Cultivation of a microorganism in a nutrient medium including disrupted sea kelp or a sea kelp extract produces a bioactivating fermentation product which promotes growth and yields when applied to plants. A composition containing such bioactivating fermentation product and an acidification extraction product of humic acid is readily absorbed by plant foliage when sprayed on plants.

Abstract: A new nematophagous agent comprising the Anthrobotrys irregularis number 1 141 b strain and its use for controlling the growth of Nematoda of the meloidogyne species.The agent is particularly useful for controlling Nematoda of the meloidgyne species in vegetables flowers and nursery plants.

Abstract: A method for screening bacteria to select strains which will suppress Pythium spp. in small grain crops under field conditions and a method for applying field-suppressive bacteria to suppress Pythium spp. in a commercial setting are described. Four Pseudomonas strains which passed the screen test are disclosed.

Abstract: Compost is rendered suppressive to plant pathogens, such as Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium ultimum and Fusarium, and/or diseases caused thereby by adding to the compost, desirably after peak heating has been achieved but before substantial recolonization of the compost by mesophilic microorganisms has occurred, one or more microorganisms antagonistic to the plant pathogen. Desirably the inoculated antagonistic microoganisms comprise Trichoderma hamatum species A.T.C.C. No. 20765 or 20764, together with a Pseudomonas maltophilia bacterium species A.T.C.C. No. 53199 or a Flavobacterium species, A.T.C.C. No. 53198.

Abstract: A primary package, and method of its production, for transferring soluble phosphorus from a secondary package within the primary package to plant root systems without adsorptive loss of phosphorus to surrounding soil constituents.The secondary package contains insoluble rock phosphate particles and a second contingent of microorganisms in a nutrient hydrogen mocroenvironment which allows the microorganisms to act on those phosphate particles to create soluble forms of phosphorus. Alternatively, the secondary package contains granules of commercially refined phosphorus fertilizer packaged to dissolve in a regulated, timed-release fashion.The primary package comprises a cellulosic support device which may be wet, moist or dry, and within which the secondary package is supported along with a vector plant seed or seedling and propagules of primary, plant-beneficial microorganisms. The primary package may be formed into desired configurations and may contain self-adhesive or gel-forming materials.

Abstract: A package and method of its production, providing a means for transferring soluble phosphorus from a source supply to plant root systems without loss of phosphorus to surrounding soil structure by use of microorganisms. A source of soluble phosphorus is supported along with a plant seed and dormant, plant-beneficial microorganisms within the cell matrix of a cellulosic support device which may be formed into a configuration such as a capsule or ribbon. The cellulosic support device may also contain nutrients for encouraging plant growth upon germination of the plant seed. The fungal inoculum is obtained by propagation of the microorganism in symbiotic association with the root systems of host plants either hydroponically, or in soil, depending upon the microorganism species used. Spores, cryoprotected hyphae and the seed of a vector plant are combined at low temperature with a cellulosic material which is used to form the packages. The formed packages are rapidly freeze-dried, and stored.

Abstract: A soil amendment matter is provided which is effective for preventing soils from suffering from injuries due to continuous cropping. This matter is obtained by adding a soil to a medium containing 2-oxo-4-methyl-6-ureidohexahydropyrimidine (OMPU) as nutrient and subjecting the mixture to an aerobic cultivation treatment. Further the matter can contain OMUP as an additional effective component. These matters can be adsorbed on an adsorbent and used.

Abstract: A novel microbial plant growth promoting composition comprising a mixture of a bacteria and algae, and a method of promoting plant growth therewith are disclosed.

Abstract: It has been a problem to pellet seeds with inoculum of the beneficial VA mycorrhizal fungus. Hitherto, clay or soil pellets have been tried but they are difficult to adjust to a suitable moisture content and the pellets are too heavy, and there is a problem in placement of the seed so as to ensure that the radicle will grow through the pellet and thereby pick up the desired fungal infection. It has now been found that satisfactory pellets can be made using a mixture of peat, preferably sphagnum moss peat (instead of soil), together with a binder, seed and the VA mycorrhizal fungus, and that even when the pellet is dried considerably the inoculum retains infectivity for at least 6 months, using sphagnum moss peat. The composition in compacted, sowing unit, e.g. pellet, form and a method of growing plant from seed are claimed. The invention is useful for improving the condition of poor soil, e.g. filled-in gravel pits or coal mine spoil tips.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding for plant growth promotant activity have been isolated and introduced into microorganisms. The modified organisms are able to confer plant growth promotant activity analogous to that of the DNA source host. Such modified hosts find use in promoting the growth of root crops by innoculating the rhizosphere with such microorganisms.E. coli HB101 (pS FL-1) was deposited at the A.T.C.C. on Oct. 8, 1982, and granted accession no. 39206.

Abstract: A process for the production of fluid fertilizers (suspensions and/or solution type) made from merchant-grade phosphoric acid (50-58 percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5), sulfuric acid, liquid anhydrous ammonia, and water, wherein liquid ammonia is heated in heat exchange means juxtaposed hot fertilizer product to form gaseous ammonia, which gaseous ammonia, along with phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid, is fed to a pipe-cross reactor wherein a melt of ammonium polyphosphate sulfate is formed, which melt is subsequently mixed with cooled recycled product to produce a fluid fertilizer with N:P.sub.2 O.sub.5 weight ratios ranging from about 0.3 to 1, which contains from about 10 to 60 percent of its P.sub.2 O.sub.5 values in the form of polyphosphates and 3 to 8 percent by weight sulfur. About 45 percent of the P.sub.2 O.sub.5 as polyphosphate is easily attainable in the product with ambient acid feed temperatures, i.e., about 50.degree. F. to 100.degree. F.

Abstract: The survival of micro-organisms when used in conjunction with a seed is markedly improved by using a water soluble polyvinyl-pyrrolidone in conjunction with the micro-organism. The invention is illustrated by legume seeds inoculated with an appropriate rhizobia bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deodorization of excrement by Lactobacillus strains in cultivation of said strains with S-, N- or C-compounds which are odoriferous components of said excrement and/or certain amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the environment protection and, more specifically, to microbiological processes for recultivation of industrial refuse heaps.The process of the present invention involves treatment of the heaps with fertilizers resulting from purification of production-communal waste waters, followed by treatment with a humic preparation containing a culture of the mold fungus Aspergillus niger. Then plowing of the ground is effected with a subsequent sowing with seeds of perennial plants. The heap surface sown with said seeds is inoculated with a bacterial preparation containing a culture of ammonifying and nitrifying bacteria.During the period of the plant sprouting and tillering inoculation is effected by means of a bacterial preparation containing a culture of azotobacter and phosphate-dissolving bacteria. All these bacteria are recovered from said refuse heaps, wherefore they are already adapted thereto.

Abstract: A liquid seed treatment composition is described in which microdried bacteria are flowably suspended in a nonphytotoxic liquid carrier with a chemical substance normally toxic to the bacteria. The bacteria in the compositions exhibit prolonged viability relative to dry, non-fluid formulations. To sustain bacterial viability and effectiveness of the compositions, the compositions are maintained as a liquid colloid in which the ingredients are thoroughly dispersed.

Abstract: According to the invention, the productivity of cultivated plants is controlled by a microbiological process. At least one telluric microorganism having a favorable rhizospheric effect on a plant is embedded in a polymer gel. Fragments of the gel are then inoculated into the rhizosphere of the plant. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the required fragments of polymer gel. Polymerization of the gel is carried out in the presence of a culture of the desired microorganism, and the polymer block is thereafter broken up prior to use.

Abstract: A soil supplement for addition to potted plants consisting of microorganisms, enzymes, and various substances rich in protein and carbohydrates including bone meal, torula yeast, potassium citrate, soybean flour and durum wheat flour. The potassium citrate acts as a chelating or sequestering agent. The substance is used in connection with the water used to moisten the soil of the potted plant. The effect of adding the supplement to the soil is that the microorganism count greatly increases due to the microorganisms and enzymes acting on the various substances rich in protein and carbohydrates. The sequestering agent tends to maintain the solution in suspension through the earth. As water and/or the supplement are added to the soil from time to time, any salts accumulated on the surface of the soil or on the edge of the pot are gradually sequestered into the soil and are ionized by the action of the enzymes and microorganisms to produce minerals useful for the plant.

Abstract: My testing procedures have demonstrated that thiophosphoryl triamide (I) and its linear thermal polymers (II) having the structures illustrated below are highly effective inhibitors of urease activity in agricultural soil systems.