Use of lipo-chitooligosaccharides and/or chitooligosaccharides in combination with phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms to enhance plant growth

A method, comprising:

• a) treating a corn seed with an inoculum comprising at least 1×107 spores of Penicillium bilaiae strain ATCC 20851, Penicillium bilaiae strain NRRL 50169, Penicillium bilaiae strain ATCC 22348, Penicillium bilaiae strain ATCC 18309, and/or Penicillium bilaiae strain NRRL 50162 per gram of inoculum;
• and
• b) treating said corn seed with at least one lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO) at a concentration ranging from about 10−14 to about 10−5 M,
• wherein said at least one LCO comprises an LCO represented by the structure:
• and/or an LCO represented by the structure:
• wherein said corn seed is treated with said spores and said at least one LCO at least three months prior to planting.

A method, comprising:

• a) treating a corn seed with an inoculum comprising at least 1×107 spores of Penicillium bilaiae strain ATCC 20851, Penicillium bilaiae strain NRRL 50169, Penicillium bilaiae strain ATCC 22348, Penicillium bilaiae strain ATCC 18309, and/or Penicillium bilaiae strain NRRL 50162 per gram of inoculum;
• and
• b) treating said corn seed with at least one chitooligosaccharide (CO) at a concentration ranging from about 10−14 to about 10−5 M,
• wherein said corn seed is treated with said spores and said at least one CO at least three months prior to planting.