Methods and compositions for increasing the amounts of phosphorus and/or micronutrients available for plant uptake from soils
AssigneeHer Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Agriculture
InventorReginald M. N. Kucey
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Abstract
A method and composition for increasing the amounts of phosphorus and/or micronutrients available for uptake by plants from the soil. The invention involves introducing an inoculum of the fungus Penicillium bilaji into (or onto) the soil. This has the effect of increasing the solubility of phosphates and micronutrient sources which may be either native to the soil or added to it, e.g. in the form of insoluble rock phosphate or manufactured phosphate fertilizer. The invention can be used to increase the health, growth rates and yields of plants, especially crop plants grown on nutrient-deficient soils, while eliminating or minimizing the need for expensive manufactured fertilizers.
Claims40
A method of increasing the availability of phosphorus and/or micronutrients for plant uptake from soil, which method comprises introducing into the soil an inoculum of a strain of the fungus Penicillium bilaji (also known as Penicillium bilaii), said strain being selected from the group consisting of strains identified by the deposit numbers ATCC 22348, ATCC 18309 and ATCC 20851 of the American Type Culture Collection, to release for plant uptake said phosphorus and/or micronutrients from a source thereof selected from the group consisting of sources originally present in the soil, sources added to the soil as amendments and combinations thereof.
A method of increasing the phosphorus uptake plants, which comprises growing the plants in soil containing, in proximity to the plant roots, both a phosphorus source and a strain of the fungus Penicillium bilaji (also known as Penicillium bilaii), said strain being selected from the group consisting of strains identified by the deposit numbers ATCC 22348, ATCC 18309 and ATCC 20851 of the American Type Culture Collection.
A composition for application to soil, which comprises:
- an inoculum of a strain of the fungus Penicillium bilaji (also known as Penicillium bilaii), said strain being selected from the group consisting of strains identified by the deposit numbers ATCC 22348, ATCC 18309 and ATCC 20851 of the American Type Culture Collection, and a soil-compatible carrier for the fungus.
A strain of Penicillium bilaji identified as ATCC 20851.
A plant seed having a coating comprising an inoculum of a strain of the fungus P. bilaji (also known as Penicillium bilaii), said strain being selected from the group selected from strains identified by the deposit numbers ATCC 22348, ATCC 18309 and ATCC 20851 of the American Type Culture Collection, and a solid soil-compatible carrier therefor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.