Use of Microorganisms to Improve Plant Immune Response

• Main Authors: ZORNER, Paul, ALIBEK, Ken, FARMER, Sean
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.03.2024
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES, AS HERBICIDES; CHEMISTRY; FERTILISERS; FERTILISERS PRODUCING CARBON DIOXIDE; FISHING; FORESTRY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; INORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; METALLURGY; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS; PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTSTHEREOF; TRAPPING

Compositions and methods are provided for improving a plant's immune response using a combination of microbes and/or their growth by-products. Specifically, the subject invention improves a plant's ability to withstand an infection by a pest or pathogen using a combination of a Trichoderma sp. fungus and a Bacillus sp. bacterium, and, optionally, one or more other microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods of the subject invention can modulate the recognition of PAMPs and/or the induction of defensive mechanisms in a plant. In a specific embodiment, the invention reduces induction of self-harming defensive mechanisms that are irreversible and/or over-induced in the plant.