Methods of using Curvularia strains to confer stress tolerance and/or growth enhancement in plants
AssigneesMontana State University, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior
InventorsJoan M. Henson, Kathy B. Sheehan, Russell J. Rodriguez, Regina S. Redman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions of endophytic fungi that confer stress tolerance in inoculated plants, including both monocots and dicots. In particular, Curvularia species, isolated from a host grass Dichanthelium languinosum growing in the geothermal zones of Lassen Volcanic and Yellowstone National Parks, confers such stress tolerance. Upon inoculating a target plant or plant part with endophytic fungi, the resulting plant shows stress tolerance, particularly drought and thermal tolerance.
Claims11
A method of conferring one or more fitness benefits to a target plant comprising inoculating said plant or a part of said plant with a culture of a mutualistic endophytic Curvularia species.
A method of conferring one or more fitness benefits to a target plant comprising inoculating said plant or a part of said plant with a culture of a mutualistic endophytic Curvularia species, wherein the Curvularia species has all the physiological and morphological characteristics of Curvularia isolate 1A15.1 deposited as NRRL 30910.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.