US 2026/0231952 A1 · ENHANCED DIAZOTROPHIC MICROORGANISMS FOR USE IN AGRICULTURE

Abstract

The disclosure relates to genetically modified microorganisms, for the improvement of phenotypes of plants, for example nitrogen availability for leguminous plants. Included are novel strains of the microorganisms, microbial consortia, and agricultural compositions comprising the same. Furthermore, the disclosure teaches methods of utilizing the described microorganisms, microbial consortia, and agricultural compositions comprising the same, in methods for imparting beneficial properties to target plant species. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of increasing desirable plant traits in agronomically important species, for example nitrogen fixation, utilization, regulation, uptake, acquisition, tolerance, and/or processing in plants.

Claims48

Dependent claims

A synthetic composition comprising a plant element and a Paenibacillus bacterium that is heterologously disposed to the plant element, wherein the Paenibacillus bacterium comprises an edit in one or more loci of its genome;

wherein the edit is a deletion of at least one nucleotide, an insertion of at least one nucleotide, and/or a replacement of at least one nucleotide, at or near one or more of the following genomic loci:
glnR, GlnR Binding Site I, GlnR Binding Site II, nrgA, orf1, cueR, and/or any combination or plurality of edit(s) at any one or more of said genomic loci;
wherein the Paenibacillus bacterium displays an improved phenotype as compared to a Paenibacillus bacterium not comprising said edit, wherein the improved phenotype is selected from the group consisting of:
increased acetylene reduction capability, improved biofilm formation, increased turbidity in culture, greater nitrogen fixation tolerance to oxygen levels, and any plurality and/or combination of the preceding;
wherein the synthetic composition further comprises a formulation component and/or an agricultural composition;
wherein the formulation component is selected from the group consisting of:
a compound that improves the stability of the microbe, a preservative, a carrier, a surfactant, an anticomplex agent, and any combination thereof;
and wherein the Paenibacillus bacterium is present at a concentration of at least about 10{circumflex over ( )}2 CFU/mL in a liquid formulation, or at least about 10{circumflex over ( )}2 CFU/gram in a non-liquid formulation.

5 more elements

A method of improving the health, yield, and/or vigor of a plant, the method comprising:

(a) associating an element of the plant with a Paenibacillus bacterium comprising an edit in one or more loci of its genome;
wherein the edit is a deletion of at least one nucleotide, an insertion of at least one nucleotide, and/or a replacement of at least one nucleotide, at or near one or more of the following genomic loci:
glnR, GlnR Binding Site I, GlnR Binding Site II, nrgA, orf1, cueR, and/or any combination or plurality of edit(s) at any one or more of said genomic loci;
(b) placing the element of the crop plant in a medium that supports plant growth;
(c) growing a plant from the element of the crop plant;
(d) assessing one or more characteristics of the plant, wherein at least one of said characteristics is improved, as compared to the same characteristic of a plant not obtained from an element associated with the Paenibacillus bacterium of (a);
wherein the plant is a leguminous plant;
wherein the one or more characteristics of (d) includes an improvement of nitrogen fixation, increase in biomass, increase in leaf area, increase in plant height, increase in root area, increase in shoot nitrogen composition, increase in greenness, increase in NDVI, increase in NPCI, increase in PSRI, increase in CCI, increase in yield, and any combination of the preceding.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Enhanced diazotrophic microorganisms for use in agriculture

Life of this patent

Enhanced diazotrophic microorganisms for use in agriculture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims48