INOCULATION OF SEEDS WITH FREEZE-DRIED MICROORGANISMS

Abstract: Agricultural and horticultural seeds are inoculated with beneficial microorganisms which have been freeze-dried. The survival of the microorganisms after drying of the seeds is improved considerably.

Description: INULULATIUN UP SEEDS WITH FREEZE-DRIED MICROORGANISMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of art to which this invention pertains is the treatment of agricultural and horticultural seeds with microorganisms to enhance productivity. For a number of years, plant seeds have been inoculated with microorganisms to improve the plants growing from the seeds. For example, nitrogen-fixing bacteria have been used to treat seeds of'legnmes so that the resulting plants will be less dependent upon soil nitrates for growth. Inoculation techniques require contacting the seeds with microorganisms. Frequently an inoculum liquid, such as a bacterial culture dispersed in water, is used for such contacting. In addition to the microorganisms, sometimes auxiliary, beneficia ] materials, such as surface-tension depressants and growth-promoting materials also have been included in the liquid inoculwm. Organists on carriers, such as peat, charcoal and the like, have been dispersed in a dilute, aqueous syrup to provide inoculum liquids. Materials recognized as detrimental and destructive to the microorganisms, seeds and plants have been excluded from the inoculum liquids Inoculum liquids have been applied by a variety of techniques, including slurry, spray and immersion treatments. Seeds have been inoculated by spraying inoculum liquids on seeds which aretumbled in a barrel or by slurrying a mixture of seeds and the inoculum liquid. In seed inoculation processes, it is customary to try to produce uniformly inoculated seeds having a minimum effective dose of organisms per seed. This minimum effective dose is the smallest number of microorganisms that will produce the desired effect An each and every host plant. This seed population is dependent on the particular seeds and particular organism being employed. In U.S. patent No. 2,954,643, a fluidized bed is used to inoculate seeds. The inoculating liquid containing the microorganisms is introduced into a bed of seeds which are maintained in a fluid state by an inert gas. U.S. Patent No. 3,054,219 describes inoculating seeds with an excess of microorganisms in order to be sure that a minimum effective dose is retained on the seed. U.S. Patent No. 2,313,057, U.S. Patent No. 2,995,867 and U.S. Patent No. 4,149,869 describe pelleting the seed, i.e., coating the seed with materials which include those.-which-are beneficial to the plant. A dif#'t inoculation technique is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,499,748# Granul@s of plaster of Paris are treated with cultures of Azotobacter or Rhizobium bacteria. These granules are then mixed with seeds and the mixture is sown on the soil. In U.S. Patent No. 4,155,737, microorganisms are incorporated into a polymer gel. The gel is crushed into small particles and is sown with the seeds. Commercialization of seed-applied microorganisms has been impeded by the difficulty of maintaining microbial viability on dry seed, pqrticularly dessication-susceptible bacteria of the genera Achromobacter, Arthrobacter, Azotobacter and Pseudomonas IBrown, Ann. Rev. Phytopath, 12:181-97 (1974); Kloepper and Schroth, Phyt#ath, 71:590-92 (1981)). SUB2xARY OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to a process of inoculating agricultural seeds with microorganisms and to the inoculated seed obtained therefrom. In another aspect this invention relates to a process of inoculating seeds with microorganisms which have been freeze-dried In still another aspect, this invention pertains to a process of coating seeds with a coating which contains a freeze-dried microorganism. In carrying out this invention, beneficial microorganisms are freeze-dried, are applied to agricultural seeds with a binder and are dried to a moisture content of 3-8 weight percent depending on plant species at a temperature below about 450C In an alternate process, the freeze-dried microorganism can be applied to the agricultural seeds along with a binder and a filler. In another variation of the process, the agricultural seeds, after being coated or pelleted with binder and filler, can be inoculated with the freeze-dried microorganism and additional binder. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Nicroorganistns useful in this invention are those which have been described as telluric microorganisms having a favorable rhizospheric effect on plants. Microorganisms of this type and their effects on plants are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,155,737 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Examples of beneficial microorganisms include, but are not limited to, Rhizobium, Enterobacter, Spirillum, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, Arthrobacter, Achromobacter and Actimomycetes. Examples of fungi include Penicillium, Tricho deem2, Chaetomiurn, and those forming ectomycorrhizae and vesicular-arbuscular mtcorrhizae. Additional microorganisms are mycoparastic fungi, nematode-trapping fungi as well as avirulent isolates of pathogenic fungi or bacteria which may control diseases caused by related plant pathogens. Seeds which can be coated by the process of this invention include all agricultural or horticultural seeds. The term "agricultural seeds" is used generically herein to include both agricultural and horticultural seeds Examples of such seeds include lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, carrot, onion, radish, tomato, corn, oats, legumes, grasses and ornamental flowers. Freeze-drying of the microorganisms can be conducted in any of the various freeze-dryers which are commercially available. An example of a freeze-dryer is Freeze-Dryer 5 (Labconco, Kansas City, Mo. 64132). The freeze-drying process can be carried out at a condenser temperature of less than about -400C., preferably about-760C. to about -650C. Useful pressure ranges are less than about 0.25 Torr, preferably less than about 0.025 Torr. In carrying out the freeze-drying operation, the culture containing the microorganisms can be freeze-dried directly. However, it is preferred to remove the excess medium from the cells, e.g., by centrifugation or filtration, and then suspend the cells in a liquid. Water can be used as the suspending liquid. However, it is preferred to suspend the cells in a cryoprotectant. Examples of cryoprotectants include glycerol, skim milk, sucrose and dimethyl sulfoxide. A preferred cryoprotectant is one made from aqueous 0.1 molar (M) sucrose, 0.05 M glycerol, 0.07 M sodium benzoate and 0.01 M magnesium sulfate. The cells are suspended in the cryoprotectant on a volume basis of about 3:1 to about 1:1 cryoprotectant to cells, preferably about 2:1. After being freeze-dried, the microorganisms are recovered as a dry powder. The freeze-dried product generally contains in the order of 1012 colony forming units per gram (cfu/g). Freeze-drying of microorganisms and cryoprotectants used in the freeze-drying process are described in detail in "American Type Culture Collection Methods" of the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md., which is hereby incorporated by reference. The freeze-dried microorganisms are applied to the seeds uniformly, generally with a small amount of binder and, preferably with binder and filler. This application can be conducted in a rotating pan or cement mixer or in a fluidized bed. When the microorganisms are to be applied directly to the seed, the seeds and microorganism are tumbled together so that the microorganism powder coats the seed uniformly. A small amount of binder is then sprayed on the tumbling seeds to adhere the microorganisms to the seed. The inoculated seeds are then dried with forced air at a temperature of about 200C. to about 450C. to a moisture content of about 3 to about 8% by weight based on the weight of the inoculated seed. Preferably, the freeze-dried microorganisms are applied to pelleted seeds, i.e., seeds coated with binder and filler. In a pelleting process, the seeds are tumbled in a rotating apparatus while binder and filler are alternately added until the proper size pelleted seed is obtained. The pelleted seeds are then force air dried at a temperature of about 30 to about 45 C. to a moisture content of about 3 to about 8% by weight based on the weight of the pelleted seed. In this process the microorganisms can be added to the seed mixture at any time during the process. Preferably, the microorganisms are added so that they are about in the middle of the coating. The microorganisns can also be applied to previously pelleted seeds. This is done by tumbling the pelleted seeds, adding the freeze-dried microorganism with a light spray of binder and then drying the inoculated pelleted seed as previously described. The amount of inoculum which is applied to the seed will vary with the type of organism, seed and soil. Generally this amount of inoculum will be in the order of about 102 to about 108 rfufseed. In order to relate cfu/seed to weight, 106 cfu/seed translates to about 1-5 micrograms of inoculum per seed. This converts to a rate of 0.56-1.12 glass inoculum per kilogram of lettuce seed or 0.06-0.11 g/kg radish seed. Binders which can be used in the inoculating and coating process are dilute solutions of water soluble or water dispersible synthetic polymers or natural gum products. Examples of such binders are methyl cellulose, methylethyl cellulose, gum arabic, guar, casein, hydrolyzed gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene glycols, starch, hydroxyethyl cellulose, karaya, tragacantb, polyvinyl acetate and the like. Useful fillers are organic and inorganic powders which can be used to build up a coating on the seed without adversely affecting the seed. Examples of such filler materials are bentonite, titanium dioxide, charcoal, vermiculite, sand, diatomaceous earth, clays, silica, mica and the like. Other ingredients, such as fertilizers and humectants, can be added in the coating process if desired. In first attempts to apply microorganisms to pelleted seeds, an aqueous suspension of a Pseudomonas strain of microorganism was sprayed during pelleting of vegetable seeds with a polyvinyl alcohol binder and a diatomaceous earth filler. The microorganisins survived the pelleting operation but were killed during the drying process regardless of the drying time or temperature which was varied from 20 C to 45 C. Viable bacteria could not be recovered from pelleted seeds containing less than 30% moisture, The moisture content of pelleted seeds is generally kept- in the range of about 3-8% by weight and, preferably, about 4-6%. When the bacterium was prepared in a methyl cellulose/ diatomaceous earth formulation, no survival was noted-when the pelleted seed was dried at 430C. A Pseudomonas spp., -in an inoculum prepared by M. N. Schroth's Laboratory [Phytopath 71:590-92 (1981)3, failed to survive pelleting and drying. A xanthan gum/diatomaceous earth inoculum was prepared according to Kloepper and Schroth (Phytopath 71:590-92 (1981) ] giving approximately 3 X 108 cfu/g. This inoculum was applied to radish seeds during pelleting in an amount which should have been measured as 2 X 106 cfu/seed. However, even after drying the pelleted seed at 200C. in a forced air dryer, the population on the seeds declined to 3 X 104 cfu/seed. Also, the coatings on the seeds dried at this low temperature cracked and fell off the seeds. EXAMPLE 1 A two day King's B broth shake culture of Pseudomonas strain MCB-lA was centrifuged and the cells washed twice with distilled water. Washed cells from 2 liter broth cultures were suspended in 100 ml distilled water and were freeze-dried at -76 C., 0,25 Torr for 8 hours. The resulting powder was assayed and found to contain 5 X lOg cfu/g. Two grams of this powder were applied to 28 g. broccoli seeds (-9750 seeds) during pelleting with polyvinyl alcohol and diatomaceous earth. A sample of the pelleted seed was assayed before drying and was found to have a population of 1 X 106 cfu/seed, the calculated theoretical amount. After drying at 200C. in a forced air dryer to a moisture content of 5-6 weight %, the bacteria population on the dry seed was determines to be 5 X 105 cfu/seed. When similar coated seeds were dried at a temperature of 430C the same amount of bacteria was found on the seeds EXAMPLE 2 A 150 ml culture of Pseudomonas strain MCB-170 (more dessication susceptible than MCB-1A) was centrifuged and the cells were washed twice with distilled water. The washed cells (5 x 1012 cells) were suspended in 6 ml of an aqueous solution containing 0.1 s sucrose, 0.05 M glycerol, 0.01 M MgSO4 and 0.07 M sodium benzoate. After being freeze-dried at -760C., 0.25 Torr for 8 hours, the dried powder was found to contain 3 X 1011 cfu/g 0.77 g. of this powder was applied to 7 g. of lettuce seeds during pellpting with polyvinyl alcohol and diatomaceous earth. After drying at 430C. in a forced air dryer to a moisture content of 5-6% by weight, the population on the dry seed was determined to be 4.7 X ios cfu/seed. EXAMPLE 3 rreeze-dried Pseudomonas strain MCB-170, prepared as described in Example 2, and suspended in an aqueous cryoprotectant solution as described in Example 2, was applied to lettuce seeds during pelleting with polyvinyl alcohol and diatomaceous 7 earth in an amount sufficient to provide 3 X 10 cfu/seed. Three runs were made with the inoculum being applied near the seed in one run, in the middle of the coating in another run and near the surface of the coating in the third run. The final pellet diameter was 3-3,5 mm. After drying at 430C. with forced air to a moisture content of 6-7 weight 8, the seed assays revealed seed population of 1.4-2.0 X 104 cfu/seed for each run. The inoculated seeds were planted in both field soil and a sterile potting mix. Differences in root populations were very small with a slightly higher population being noted with the seed inoculated in the middle of the coating. EXAMPLE 4 A 14 liter culture of Pseudomonas strain MCB-170 (very susceptible to dessication) was centrifuged and the recovered cells were suspended in 560 ml cryoprotectant as described in Example 2 and freeze-dried at a condenser temperature of -650C.1 pressure of 0.025 Torr for 20 hours. The freeze-dried inoculum was added to carrot seed during pelleting with polyvinyl alcohol and diatomaceous earth in an amount sufficient to provide 1.5 X 105 cfu/seed. Three runs were made with the inoculum being applied near the seed in one run, in the middle of the coating in another run, and near the surface of the coatingin the third run. The final pellet diameter was about 2.0 to 2.4 mm. After drying at 43 C. with forced air to a moisture content of 4-5%, the seed assays revealed seed populations of 3.6 X 101 cfu/seed (next to the seed), 1.3 X 103 cfu/seed (in middle of coating) and 1.9 X 102 cfu/seed (exterior of the coating). EXAMPLE 5 t Freeze-dried inoculum of Pseudomonas strain MCB-172, prepared as described above, was applied to lettuce seed during pelleting. The inoculum was also applied to previously pelleted and dried lettuce seed by applying the freeze-dried powder to the pellets, spraying the pellets with Åa polyvinyl alcohol binder and drying the pellets at 43 C. No differences in process survival or root population were observed. EXAMPLE 6 Lettuce seed was treated with freeze-dried inoculum of Pseudomonas strain MCB-114 by applying the inoculum with a light spray of a poly(vinyl alcohol) binder followed by a short period of drying at 430C Survival of the microorganisms was as good as, or better than, the same strain applied to lettuce seed during pelleting. A comparison of root populations from seed inoculated by pelleting vs. raw seed treatment revealed no differences. EXAMPLE 7 The death rate of freeze-dried bacteria on pelleted seed was examined. Broccoli and radish seeds were pelleted with freeze-dried Pseudomonas strain MCB-1A. Pelleted seed was stored in sealed plastic containers at 40, 140, or 220C. and assayed periodically over a period of 34 weeks Initial seed populations of 107 cfu/seed declined to 105 cfu/seed in 2.5-3 weeks at 220C., 4-5 weeks at 14 0C. and 34 weeks at 4 C. For strain MCB-lA on either broccoli or radish seed stored at 40C., the seed population declines to about 10% of the original in 18 weeks and to about 1% of the original in 34 weeks. EXAMPLE 8 The fungus Penicillium oxalicum strain MCF-6 was freeze-dried in a suspension of 20% skim milk as described in American Type Culture Collection Methods. Lettuce seed pellets were successfully- inoculated with this fungus. A strain of Trichoderma spp (MCF-20) was also successfully processed and pelleted as above. EXAMPLE 9 One liter of King's B Broth (containing in g/l:Difco proteose peptone No. 3, 20; glycerol, 12.6; #gSO4.7H2O, 1.5 and K2HP04, 1.5) was inoculated with Pseudomonas strain MCB-121 and incubated on a rotary shaker at 200 rpm at 20-220C. for 3 days. The cells were separated from the medium by centrifugation (10,000 X g. for 20 minutes at 5 C.). The cells were then suspended in 40 ml cryoprotectant (0.1 M sucrose and 0.05 M glycerol: and freeze-dried with a vacuum of 0.05 Torr and condenser temperature.of -760C. for 6 hours. The dried powder was recovered and found to weigh 4.54 g. To determine the bacterial population in the inoculum, 0.01 .g. was rehydrated in 9.9 ml sterile distilled water for 30 r;ir.utes in a shaking test tube. Dilutions were plated on semi-solid King's B agar (King's B Broth supplemented with 15 g/l agar The population determined in this way was 6.4 X 1011 cfu/g, The remaining inoculum 14.53 g.) was added to seed during pelleting. Two pound runs of radish variety Cherry Belle (germination 90%; 78,775 seeds/lb.) were pelleted using a binder of 15% poly(vinyl alcohol) Gelvatol 40-20 (Monsanto Corp.) and 1% glycerol and a diatomaceous earth/cellulose fiber mixture (Fibracel 8A, Johrs-Manville Corp.) filler. Drying was conducted for 1.5 hours at 430C. in a forced air dryer. Theoretical seed population was determined as follows: EMI12.1 Actual seed population was determined to be 5 X 105 cfu; seed by shaking 10 seeds in 9.9 ml sterile distilled water for 30 minutes followed by plating dilutions on King's B agar. The pelleted seeds were planted in 3 different field soils from the Salinas Valley in pots in a greenhouse. Plants 0 0 were grown for 30-35 days at 12 -17 C. night temperatures and 180-220C. day temperatures. Radish root weights from the-inoculated seeds grown in the three soils were 119%, 119% and 151% of those from non-inoculated pelleted seeds grown under the same conditions. The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein, however, is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, since these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and change may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. In a process of inoculating agricultural seeds with beneficial microorganisms, the improvement which comprises freeze crying the microorganism, applying them to the seed along with a water-soluble or water-dispersible binder coating and drying the seed. 2 The process of claim 1 wherein the coating includes a filler. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the coated seed is dried at-a temperature of about 200C. to about 450C. to a moisture content of about 3 to about 88 by weight based on the weight of the coated seed. 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the temperature is about 300C. to about 40r and the moisture content is about 4 to about 6% by weight. 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the microorganisms are freeze-dried at a temperature below -400C. at a pressure less than 0.25 Torr 6 The process of claim 5 wherein the temperature is about -760C. to about -650C.,#and the pressure is less than 0.025 Torr. 7. An agricultural seed inoculated with a freeze-dried beneficial microorganism, said seed having a moisture content of about 3 to about 8t by weight based on the weight of the inoculated seed, 8 The seed of claim 7 having a moisture content of about 4 to about 6% by weight. 9. An agricultural seed coated with a freeze-dried beneficial microorganism and a water-soluble or water-dispersible inder, said seed having a moisture content of about 3 to about B% by weight based on the weight of the coated seed. 10. The seed of claim 9 having a moisture content of about 4 to about 6% by weight. 11. An agricultural seed coated with a freeze-dried beneficial microorganism, a water-soluble or water-dispersible binder and a filler, said seed having a moisture content of about 3 to about 8% by weight based on the weight of the coated seed. 12. The seed of claim 11 having a moisture content of about 4 to about 6% by weight.

Inventors: CULL, STEVEN W., MESSENGER, DERINDA L.
Applicants: MORAN SEEDS, INC.
Application year: 1983
Main classification: A01C1
IPC codes: C12N1, C12R1, A01C1