Abstract:
Fungal/bacterial antagonist combinations, a seed coated with one of the combinations and a plant protected from plant pathogens by one of the combinations. The invention is also a fungal/bacterial antagonist combination comprising a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist and a  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  ( Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ) bacterial antagonist and its use for controlling plant pathogens as a biocontrol agent, bio-pesticide or bio-fungicide. The invention also finds utility as a fungal/bacterial antagonist combination applied to the seed, stalk or leaf that results in an increase in plant yield. Control of early and late season stalk and root rot caused by fungi such as  Fusarium , Phythium,  Phytophthora  and  Penicillium  in tomatoes, peppers, turf grass, soybeans, sunflower, wheat and corn is achieved.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/067,185, filed Feb. 1, 2002, pending, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/265,998, filed Feb. 2, 2001; the disclosures of which applications are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.  
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of Grant No. DMI-9901629 awarded by the National Science Foundation. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     This invention relates to fungal/bacterial antagonist combinations, a seed coated with said combinations and a plant protected from plant pathogens by said combinations. In particular, the invention relates to fungal/bacterial antagonist combinations and their use for controlling plant pathogens.  
         [0004]     Early and late season stalk and root rot are major causes of crop loss. A variety of plants are affected, including tomatoes, peppers, turf grass, soybeans, sunflower, wheat and corn. The pathogens that cause these symptoms include fungi of the genera  Fusarium, Phythium, Phytophthora  and  Penicillium.    
         [0005]     One approach to solving the problem of early season damping off of plants is treatment of seeds with fungicides, such as captan, metalaxyl and Maxim. Although these chemicals enhance seed germination and seedling stand by inhibiting the pathogenic ability of  Phythium  spp. (active in cool, wet soils), they have no activity against the pathogenic fungi that are responsible for late season root and stalk rot.  
         [0006]      Fusarium  and  Penicillium  are the pathogens responsible for late season root and stalk rot. These pathogens prefer the warm, dry conditions that occur late in the growing season. There is no chemical or biological fungicide available that addresses the problem of late season root and stalk rot in corn. Currently, the only way to deal with this problem is to periodically rotate to a non-susceptible crop to reduce pathogen numbers. Corn growers can also select hybrids that have better “standability,” but such hybrids usually have lower yields. Unfortunately, the corn varieties with the highest yields are usually those most susceptible to late season root and stalk rot.  
         [0007]      Trichoderma  is a genus of fungi that contains about 20 species. Synonyms for the genus name include Aleurisma and Sporoderma.  Trichoderma virens , which is also called  Gliocladium virens , is a member of the genus. The natural habitats of these fungi include soil and plant material. A member of the genus,  Trichoderma harzianum  KRL-AG2 (ATCC 20847) also known as strain T-22, is used as a biocontrol agent that is applied as a seed or soil treatment or on cuttings and transplants. Strains of the species,  Trichoderma virens , have also been used for control of damping off diseases in plants. For example,  Trichoderma  ( Gliocladium ) virens G1-21 is known and commercially available at a reasonable price, and is being marketed under the trademark SoilGuard® 12G (EPA Registration Number: 70051-3 and EPA Establishment Number: 067250-IL-001). It is manufactured by Thermo Trilogy Corporation of Columbia, Md. Other known and commercially available  Trichoderma virens  strains include those having the following ATCC accession numbers: 10043, 10044, 10045, 13213, 13362, 204067, 204443, 204444, 204445, 20903, 20904, 20906, 24290, 42955, 44327, 44734, 48179, 52045, 52199, 58676, 58677, 58678, 62399, 64271, 74180, 9645, MYA-297, MYA-298, MYA-649 and MYA-650.  
         [0008]      Bacillus  is a genus of rod-shaped, gram-positive, aerobic or (under some conditions) anaerobic bacteria.  Bacillus  species are widely found in soil and water and some have been used to control plant diseases, including root rot.  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  is a spore-forming member of the genus.  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  L.L. Campbell strain F (ATCC 23350) is the type strain for the species. Other known and commercially available  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  strains include those having the following ATCC accession numbers: 23842, 23843, 23844, 23845, 31592, 49763, 53495 and BAA-390 (Int. J. Sys. Bacteriol. 37:69-71, 1987; J. Bacteriol. 94:1124-1130, 1967).  
         [0009]      Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  is also called  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  by some investigators. A protease produced from  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  is commonly used as a tenderized for raw meat products. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 is a naturally-occurring microorganism and widespread in the environment.  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24 (EPA Registration Number: 72098-5 and EPA Establishment Number: 73386-DEU-001) is known and commercially available at a reasonable price, being marketed under the trademark Taegro® by Earth Bioscience, Inc. of Fairfield, Conn.  
         [0010]      Bacillus lentimorbus  is another spore-forming member of the genus.  Bacillus lentimorbus  Dutky 1940 (ATCC 14707) is the type strain for the species (Skerman, V. B. D., McGowan, V., and Sneath, P. H. A., Approved lists of bacterial names.  Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol.  30: 225-420, 1980). Some researchers consider  Bacillus lentimorbus  to be a variety of  Bacillus popilliae. Bacillus lentimorbus  and  Bacillus popilliae  have recently been reclassified as  Paenibacillus lentimorbus  and  Paenibacillus popilliae  (Pettersson, B., Rippere, K. E., Yousten, A. A. and Priest, F. G., Transfer of  Bacillus lentimorbus  and  Bacillus popilliae  to the genus  Paenibacillus  with emended descriptions of  Paenibacillus lentimorbus  comb. nov. and  Paenibacillus popilliae  comb. nov.,  Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol.  49: 531-540, 1999).  Bacillus lentimorbus  and  Bacillus popilliae  are the causative agents of milky disease in Japanese beetles and related scarab larvae and “milky spore” powders are sold under the trade names, “Doom,” “Milky Spore,” “Japidemic” “Grub Killer” and “Grub Attack,” for biocontrol of these insects.  
         [0011]     Background art biocontrol products have comprised the bacterium  Burkholderia cepacia , which is also known as  Pseudomonas cepacia . This bacterium has been implicated as a human pathogen. Furthermore, it has little or no shelf life unless refrigerated at 4 degrees Centigrade at a minimum of 20 percent moisture.  
         [0012]     The background art is characterized by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,476,881; 4,489,161; 4,642,131; 4,668,512; 4,678,669; 4,713,342; 4,724,147; 4,748,021; 4,818,530; 4,828,600; 4,877,738; 4,915,944; 4,952,229; 5,047,239; 5,049,379; 5,071,462; 5,068,105; 5,084,272; 5,194,258; 5,238,690; 5,260,213; 5,266,316; 5,273,749; 5,300,127; 5,344,647; 5,401,655; 5,422,107; 5,455,028; 5,409,509; 5,552,138; 5,589,381; 5,614,188; 5,628,144; 5,632,987; 5,645,831; 5,665,354; 5,667,779; 5,695,982; 5,702,701; 5,753,222; 5,852,054; 5,869,042; 5,882,641; 5,882,915; 5,906,818; 5,916,029; 5,919,447; 5,922,603; 5,972,689; 5,974,734; 5,994,117; 5,998,196; 6,015,553; 6,017,525; 6,030,610; 6,033,659; 6,060,051; and 6,103,228.  
         [0013]     Gravely et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,881 disclose a mixed complementary culture of bacteria and fungi that is used to degrade pectin and cellulose components of tobacco materials. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0014]     Papavizas in U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,161 discloses a strain of the fungus  Trichoderma viride  that is an effective biocontrol agent for  Fusarium  wilt of chrysanthemum. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0015]     Hoitinik in U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,131 discloses a process for production of a disease-suppressive compost and a microorganism culture for use therein. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0016]     Lewis et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,512 disclose a method for preparing pellets containing living biocontrol fungi and nutrients. The invention is limited in that it teaches a process that involves use of different microorganisms.  
         [0017]     Ricard in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,669 discloses a method of using immunizing commensals to control soil-borne pathogens. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0018]     Chet et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,342 disclose a novel isolate of  Trichoderma  and it use. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0019]     Marois et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,147 disclose a method for preparing pellets containing living biocontrol fungi. The invention is limited in that it teaches a process that involves use of different microorganisms.  
         [0020]     Chet et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,021 disclose antifungal compositions containing  Trichoderma  active against  Fusarium . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0021]     Marois et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,530 disclose a method for preparing pellets containing living biocontrol fungi. The invention is limited in that it teaches a process that involves use of different microorganisms.  
         [0022]     McCabe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,600 disclose a biological inoculant for corn. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0023]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,738 disclose a new microorganism culture and a method for biological control of damping off and root rot. The invention is limited in that it teaches a process that involves use of a different microorganism,  Bacillus cereus.    
         [0024]     Chet et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,944 disclose a novel isolate of  Trichoderma  and fungicidal compositions containing it. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0025]     Muir in U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,229 discloses a soil and foliar supplement. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0026]     Pusey in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,239 discloses a biological control agent for fruit rot. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism for a different purpose.  
         [0027]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,379 disclose a fungicidal toxin and a method and an inoculum for controlling root rot and damping off. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism,  Bacillus cereus.    
         [0028]     Kimura in U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,462 discloses a method and apparatus for producing an organic fertilizer. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0029]     Lewis et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,105 disclose a fungal formulation for biocontrol of soil-borne plant pathogens. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0030]     Speakman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,272 disclose a  Trichoderma  fungus and a fungicide that contains it. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0031]     Pauu et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,258 disclose a method for producing enhanced biocontrol agents. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0032]     Elad et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,690 disclose a novel  Trichoderma  culture and biological compositions containing it. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0033]     Harman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,213 disclose fused biocontrol agents. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0034]     Elad et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,316 disclose a novel isolate of  Trichoderma harzianum  and fungicidal compositions containing it. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0035]     Bok et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,749 disclose a process for preparing coated microbial pesticides and the products of the process. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0036]     Williams in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,127 discloses seed coatings. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0037]     Rossall in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,647 discloses a  Bacillus  strain that has antimicrobial activity. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0038]     Kijima et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,655 disclose a process for biologically preventing plant diseases. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0039]     Kubota in U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,107 discloses a novel fungus and a fungicide containing it. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0040]     O&#39;Donnell in U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,028 discloses a method of inhibiting fungi. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0041]     Burth et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,509 disclose a seed treatment. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0042]     Shanmuganathan in U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,132 discloses “compositions for the treatment/prevention of microbial diseases of fruit comprising as effective amount of at least one yeast strain . . . ” (Abstract). In Example 2, strains are tested separately and are not combined. The disclosed strain D9 was effective and  Trichoderma viridie  was not. Neither was  Bacillus subtilis  effective. The reference teaches that “it is very unpredictable whether a particular yeast species would be effective in the treatment/prevention of microbial disease in fruit” (col. 2, lines 26-28).  
         [0043]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,138 disclose a novel strain of  Bacillus  cerus and a method of protecting plants with the strain. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0044]     Neyra et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,381 disclose a novel strain of  Bacillus licheniformis  that produces an antifungal agent and a use for the strain. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0045]     Urano et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,188 disclose an anti- Fusarium  composition containing strains of  Bacillus  sp. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0046]     Eastin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,144 discloses solid matrix priming of seeds. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0047]     Payne et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,987 disclose a  Bacillus thuringiensis  toxin that is active against corn rootworm larvae. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism for a different purpose.  
         [0048]     Chilcott et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,831 disclose a  Bacillus thuringiensis  strain and metabolite that are active against corn rootworm. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism for a different purpose.  
         [0049]     Neyra et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,354 disclose a novel strain of  Bacillus licheniformis  that produces an antifungal agent and a use for the strain. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0050]     Kubo in U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,779 discloses a fungi-inhibiting composition comprising  Bacillus subtilis . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0051]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,982 discloses canavanine-resistant strains of  Bacillus cereus . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0052]     Neyra et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,186 disclose “flocculated bacterial cells” for use “as high-density crop inoculants” (Abstract). The reference is limited to the flocculation of one or more species of bacteria. Combination of bacteria with another type of microorganism is not taught by the reference. Nor, does it teach the combination of more than one bacterium will produce a greater response, only that the flocculation will allow the application of more than one bacterium for whatever reason.  
         [0053]     O&#39;Donnell in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,701 discloses a process for treatment of soil and plants with a composition containing  Bacillus laterosporus . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0054]     Marrone et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,222 disclose an antibiotic-producing strain of  Bacillus  and methods of controlling plant diseases with it. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0055]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,054 disclose fungicidal toxins from a biocontrol bacterium. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0056]     Marrone et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,042 disclose methods for controlling above-ground plant diseases. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms for a different purpose.  
         [0057]     Shetty in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,641 discloses fruit pomice compositions and their uses. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0058]     Howell in U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,915 discloses viridiol-deficient strains of  Trichoderma  virens and process for making and using biocontrol agents that contain them. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0059]     Heins et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,818 disclose a  Bacillus mycoides  strain for controlling corn rootworm. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism for a different purpose.  
         [0060]     Smith et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,029 disclose a process for producing seeds coated with a microbial composition. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0061]     Marrone et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,447 disclose a strain of  Bacillus  for controlling plant disease. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0062]     Herrera-Estrella et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,603 disclose a method for obtaining strains of  Trichoderma  sp. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0063]     Cook et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,689 disclose methods and compositions for control of root diseases. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0064]     Eastin in U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,734 discloses solid-matrix priming of seeds with microorganisms. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0065]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,196 disclose a method for suppressing disease using a novel  Bacillus cereus  strain. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0066]     Germida et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,553 disclose a  Bacillus subtilis  strain for controlling pests. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism for a different purpose.  
         [0067]     Logan et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,525 discloses a method of poultry house litter treatment. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism for a different purpose.  
         [0068]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,610 disclose a novel strain of  Bacillus cereus . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0069]     Handelsman et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,659 disclose a novel strain of  Bacillus cereus . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0070]     Heins et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,228 discloses compositions and methods for controlling plant pests and a novel strain of  Bacillus subtilis . The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a different microorganism.  
         [0071]     Ocamb et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,196 disclose contacting conifer seeds with a culture of certain bacteria, drying the seeds, planting the seeds and then treating the plant growth medium with a certain ectomycorrhizal fungus ( Hebeloma  spp.). The reference does not teach treating seeds with a composition comprising a fungus and a bacterium.  
         [0072]     Branly et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,270 discloses agricultural compositions containing bacteria. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms and a different process for their use. While the patent suggests that one bacterium that is useful within the disclosed invention is  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , it teaches that spores, cultures or suspensions of the bacterium must be combined with an agriculturally effective ingredient of a plant growth stunting agent or herbicide.  
         [0073]     Moesinger in U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,016 discloses plant immunization compositions. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms and a different process for their use. While the patent suggests that one bacterium that can be used according to the disclosed invention is  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , and that one fungus that can be used according to the invention is  Trichoderma  spp., it teaches production of an extract by means of biotechnological fermentation process performed by only one microorganism. Furthermore, the patent teaches that high-temperature autoclaving (e.g., one hour at +120 degrees C.) and (optionally) filtering are further steps in preparation of the extract.  
         [0074]     Background art is also disclosed in the non-patent literature. The StratSoy Research Database posted on the Web (apparently in 1996) a description of a research project entitled Interaction of Soybean Roots with Soilbome Pathogens and Nonpathogens. The project studied the use of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  B94 as a biocontrol agent for plant diseases. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of a single different microorganism.  
         [0075]     An article entitled Seed&#39;s Coat of Many Microbes Wards Off Rot in Science Update section of the April, 1997, issue of Agricultural Research, disclosed the mixing of helpful fungi and bacteria to weaken or kill fungal pathogens that attack young corn sprouts. The applicant believes that the combination used was  T. virens  and  Pseudomonas cepacia . This invention is limited for two reasons: (1)  P. cepacia  is implicated as causative in deaths in cystic fibrosis patients and, therefore, EPA registration would probably not be possible, and (2)  P. cepacia  is not a spore-forming bacterium and, therefore, the moisture content of the combination must be maintained at greater than about 17 percent.  T. virens  can be stored and applied at low moisture levels and does not remain in the spore state at the higher moisture levels, making its combination with  P. cepacia  impractical.  
         [0076]     In an article authored by L. E. Datnoff et al. entitled Effect of Bacterial and Fungal Microorganisms to Colonize Tomato Roots, Improve Transplant Growth and Control  Fusarium  Crown and Root Rot that was posted on the Web in 2000 by the University of Florida Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, the authors discuss using a combination of an unidentified bacterial strain and  Gliocladium virens  to control  Fusarium  root rot. The invention is limited in that it teaches use of different microorganisms.  
         [0077]     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs posted a Biopesticide Fact Sheet on  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 (006480) in May, 2000. The fact sheet noted that the strain was approved for use as a growth enhancer and disease suppressor. The invention is limited in that it does not teach the use of a fungal/bacterial combination.  
         [0078]     No single reference and no combination of the references teach the invention disclosed herein. The background art does not teach combinations of microorganisms disclosed herein, combinations that provide a surprising consistency of performance in plant disease control.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0079]     A purpose of the invention is to control the plant pathogens that cause early and late season root and stalk rot. Another purpose is to provide for season-long protection for plants from the pathogens that cause early and late season root and stalk rot. Another purpose is to provide consistent disease control for plants. Yet another purpose is to increase the yield of plants and plant seed production.  
         [0080]     One advantage of the invention is that root and stalk rot can be controlled with a composition that is not toxic to humans. Another advantage of the invention is that root and stalk rot can be controlled more economically than with chemical fungicides. Yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides a biocontrol agent or bio-pesticide with extended shelf life. Thus, a seed can be treated with the biocontrol agent and stored for a period of months and still host a viable biocontrol agent that will colonize the root when the seed is placed in the ground, germinates and grows. Furthermore, the disclosed biocontrol agent is competitive with natural soil microbes that occur in the rhizosphere while providing pathogen protection for the plant. A further advantage of the invention is that the combination of a fungal/bacterial antagonist is more effective in controlling fungal pathogens in the plant rhizosphere than either a fungal antagonist or a bacterial antagonist alone. Thus, the invention provides an easy-to-use, effective means of controlling plant pathogens that have been only been controllable by rotation management. A further advantage of the invention is that its use produces more consistent results than the use of either a fungal antagonist or a bacterial antagonist alone, as shown by the Working Examples presented herein. In fact, use of the antagonist combinations disclosed herein is shown to be functional when use of its individual constituent antagonists is not.  
         [0081]     The compositions disclosed herein may be integrated into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, the inventive compositions may be used in combination with other management systems. As an alternative to synthetic agents, biocontrol agents (bio-pesticides) offer the advantage of containing naturally derived constituents that are safe to both humans and the environment. Specifically, bio-pesticides offer such advantages as being inherently less toxic than conventional pesticides, generally affecting only the target pest and closely related organisms, and are often effective in very small quantities. For these reasons, bio-pesticides often decompose quickly and, therefore, are ideal for use as a component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.  
         [0082]     The applicant has shown through a variety of laboratory and field trials that  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 and  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 are compatible with one another and that they act synergistically to consistently produce increased yield in plants. These results were presented in the parent application referenced above.  
         [0083]     Field trials were conducted as part of the applicant&#39;s continuing research effort that tested other known  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  ( Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ) strains and other known  Trichoderma virens  isolates. The purpose of testing was to determine whether the surprising synergism between a  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  bacterium and a  Trichoderma virens  fungus disclosed in the parent application would be present between other strains and isolates of the same genus and species.  
         [0084]     This testing by the applicant did result in the discovery of a synergistic activity between other isolates and strains of  Trichoderma virens  and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens.  These results are presented in the final three working examples at the end of this document. The results show that other isolates of  Trichoderma virens  and other strains of  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  do have synergistic properties. The applicant&#39;s research has also confirmed that the combination of  T. virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 is superior to combinations comprising any other tested strains, but that synergies among other combinations do exist. These synergies have led the applicant to the conclusion that his patent rights should include combinations of all  Trichoderma virens  isolates and all  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strains.  
         [0085]     The invention is an inoculum, a seed coated with the inoculum, a plant protected with the inoculum, a method of producing the inoculum and a method of protecting a seed or a plant with the inoculum. A further embodiment of the inoculum comprises a combination of a fungus and a bacterium. Preferably, the fungus is a species of  Trichoderma  and the bacterium is a species of  Bacillus , preferably a spore-forming strain of  Bacillus . More preferably, the fungus is  Trichoderma virens  and the bacterium is  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens , although other combinations are also envisioned. Even more preferably, the fungus is  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 (ATCC 58678) or  Trichoderma virens  G1-21 (an isolate that is commercially available from Thermo Trilogy Corporation) and the bacterium is  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE (ATCC BAA-390) or  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24 (a strain that is commercially available from Earth Biosciences, Inc.).  
         [0086]     Further embodiments of the invention comprise combining of a  Trichoderma virens  fungus and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterium and placing this combination on a seed or in the vicinity of the seed or seedling. A person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that the names  Trichoderma virens  and  Gliocladium virens  are synonymous. The ATCC listing of this organism under ATCC Accession No. 58678 confirms its prior classification as  Gliocladium virens.    
         [0087]     In a further embodiment, the inoculum is produced by adding an essentially pure culture, a substantially pure culture, an axenic culture or a biologically pure culture of  Trichoderma  virens to a bioreactor containing molasses-yeast extract growth medium using a standard inoculation technique. The medium is agitated and aerated and its temperature is maintained at about 28 degrees Centigrade. After the  Trichoderma virens  is grown in the medium for about eight hours, an essentially pure culture, a substantially pure culture, an axenic culture or a biologically pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  is added to the medium using a standard inoculation technique. The combined, competitive culture is grown under the aforementioned conditions and produces maximum cell and spore counts in approximately seven days. The combined culture is then used as an inoculum and is applied each seed at a rate of no less than about 1,000 spore counts per seed.  
         [0088]     In a further embodiment, a solution containing an essentially pure culture, a substantially pure culture, an axenic culture or a biologically pure culture of the fungal antagonist  Trichoderma virens  is combined with a solution containing an essentially pure culture, a substantially pure culture, an axenic culture or a biologically pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  in a 50/50 mixture by volume and is applied to a seed at a rate of no less than about 10,000 spore counts per seed.  
         [0089]     In a preferred embodiment, the invention is an agricultural inoculum suitable for inoculating plant seeds comprising a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678, isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof; a  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain ATCC BAA-390, strain FZB24 and mutants thereof, and a suitable carrier that is non-phytotoxic, non-bacteriostatic, and non-bactericidal. Suitable carriers include wettable clay based powders, dextrose granules or powders, sucrose granules or powders and maltose-dextrose granules or powders.  
         [0090]     A further embodiment of the invention is a composition of matter comprising a plant seed inoculated with a combination comprising a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678, isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain ATCC BAA-390, strain FZB24 and mutants thereof, wherein said combination suppresses growth of plant pathogenic fungi.  
         [0091]     Yet a further embodiment of the invention is a seed or plant inoculated with a combination selected from the group consisting of: a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof; a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof, and a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof, wherein the combination suppresses growth of plant pathogenic fungi.  
         [0092]     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of protecting a plant from disease caused by a plant pathogenic fungus comprising inoculating seeds from said plant with a combination comprising a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678, isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain ATCC BAA-390, strain FZB24 and mutants thereof, wherein said combination suppresses growth of plant pathogenic fungi.  
         [0093]     A further embodiment of the invention is a method of protecting a seed or a plant from disease caused by a plant pathogenic fungus comprising inoculating seeds from said plant with a composition comprising a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist. Preferably, the fungal antagonist is selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678, isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and the bacterial antagonist is selected from the group consisting of strain ATCC BAA-390, strain FZB24 and mutants thereof.  
         [0094]     A further embodiment of the invention is a method of protecting a seed or a plant from disease caused by a plant pathogenic fungus comprising inoculating seeds from said plant with a composition comprising a fungal antagonist and a bacterial antagonist, wherein said combination suppresses growth of plant pathogenic fungi. A further embodiment is capable of control of the plant pathogen fungi  Fusarium, Phythium, Phytophthora  and  Penicillium.    
         [0095]     A further embodiment of the invention is a method of protecting a plant from disease caused by a plant pathogenic fungus comprising inoculating seeds from said plant with a composition selected from the group: a composition comprising a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain ATCC BAA-390 and mutants thereof, and a composition comprising a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof, wherein said combination suppresses growth of plant pathogenic fungi.  
         [0096]     Yet a further embodiment of the invention is a method for biologically controlling or inhibiting stalk rot or root rot comprising coating seeds with an effective amount of a composition comprising a  Trichoderma virens  isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24.  
         [0097]     A further embodiment of the invention is process for making a composition comprising introducing an essentially pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  (strain FZB24) to a growth medium about eight hours after an essentially pure culture of  Trichoderma virens  (isolate G1-21) is introduced to the growth medium and growing the culture as a competitive culture.  
         [0098]     A further embodiment of the invention is a process comprising making a composition by combining an essentially pure culture of  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 (isolate G1-21) with an essentially pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  (strain FZB24) in a 50:50 mixture and applying said composition to a seed at a rate of at least 100,000 spores per seed.  
         [0099]     In one embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, the spore count applied per seed ranges from about 1,000 to about 1,000,000, regardless of seed size. In another embodiment of the invention, the spore count per seed is from about 1,000 to about 10,000. In a further embodiment of the invention, the spore count per seed is from about 10,000 to about 100,000. In a yet further embodiment of the invention, the spore count per seed is from about 100,000 to about 1,000,000. In a yet another embodiment of the invention, the spore count per seed is from about 1,000,000 to about 2,000,000.  
         [0100]     A further embodiment of the invention is a method for protecting plants in a growing medium from damping off and root rot fungal plant disease comprising placing in the growing medium in the immediate vicinity of the plant to be protected an effective quantity of one of the fungal/bacterial combinations disclosed herein.  
         [0101]     Yet a further embodiment of the invention is a method for protecting plants from fungal plant disease comprising adding one of the fungal/bacterial combinations disclosed herein in an effective quantity to a substrate such as pelletized calcium sulfate or pelletized lime and placing the pellet in the immediate vicinity of the plant to be protected. The pellet may or may not contain other nutrients.  
         [0102]     A further embodiment of the invention is a method for protecting plants from fungal plant disease comprising adding one of the fungal/bacterial combinations disclosed herein in an effective quantity to a liquid solution such as water and applying the liquid solution in the immediate vicinity of the plant to be protected. The liquid may or may not contain additional nutrients and may include a chemical fungicide applied to the seed such as, for example, Maxim or captan. The disclosed combination may also be added to a plant nutrient (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK)) plus plant micro-nutrient solution that is compatible with the combination and applied as an in-furrow treatment.  
         [0103]     A further embodiment of the invention is a method for biologically controlling a plant disease caused by a plant-colonizing fungus, the method comprising inoculating a seed of the plant with an effective amount of a microbial inoculant comprising a combination of microorganisms having all of the identifying characteristics of  Trichoderma virens  and  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , said inoculation resulting in the control of said plant disease. The invention is also a method according to the above further embodiment wherein said inoculation results in the control of more than one plant disease.  
         [0104]     Yet a further embodiment of the invention involves combining a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist to enhance ease of use and longevity of shelf life both as a stored product and when applied to a seed. In a further embodiment, the invention involves applying the disclosed  Trichoderma  microorganism and the  Bacillus  microorganism to a wettable powder, in which form it is applied.  
         [0105]     A further embodiment of the invention is composition of matter made by combining: a composition made by combing a plurality of antagonists selected from the group consisting of a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate G1-21 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof; a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof; and a  Trichoderma virens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of isolate ATCC 58678 and mutants thereof and a  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  antagonist selected from the group consisting of strain FZB24 and mutants thereof; and a suitable carrier that is non-phytotoxic, non-bacteriostatic, and non-bactericidal.  
         [0106]     A further embodiment of the invention is an antagonist for controlling plant pathogens made by combining effective amounts of: a fungal antagonist selected from the group of  Trichoderma virens  isolate (isolate G1-21) and mutants thereof; a bacterial antagonist selected from the group of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  (strain FZB24) and mutants thereof; and a suitable carrier that is non-phytotoxic, non-bacteriostatic, and non-bactericidal. Preferably, the antagonist made by further combining with the antagonist an effective amount of another bacterial strain.  
         [0107]     Yet a further embodiment of the invention is a seed assembly made by combining a plant seed with effective amounts of a  Trichoderma virens  fungal antagonist and a  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  bacterial antagonist. In a further embodiment, the seed is a seed of a plant selected from the group of a monocot, and a dicot. In a further embodiment, the seed is a seed of a plant selected from the group of a legume plant, and a non-legume plant. In a further embodiment, the seed is a seed of a plant selected from the group of corn, sunflower, soybean, field pea, and wheat.  
         [0108]     A further embodiment of the invention is method for culturing a plant comprising: applying an antagonist disclosed herein to a seed or to the seedbed of the plant; planting the seed in the seedbed; growing the plant to yield a crop; and harvesting the crop; wherein said applying step increases the yield of the crop. In a further embodiment, the antagonist is applied to the seed or to the seedbed of a plant selected from the group of a monocot, and a dicot. In a further embodiment, the antagonist is applied to the seed or to the seedbed of a plant selected from the group of a legume plant, and a non-legume plant. In a further embodiment, the antagonist is applied to the seed or to the seedbed of a plant selected from the group of corn, sunflower, soybean, field pea, and wheat.  
         [0109]     Plant species that may be treated with the disclosed invention include commercial crops species, e.g., barley, oat, millet, alfalfa. The disclosed invention may also be used to treat leguminous plants (e.g., soybeans, alfalfa, and peas) and non-leguminous plants (e.g., corn, wheat, and cotton). The disclosed invention may also be used to treat angiosperms and cereals.  
         [0110]     Yet a further embodiment is a process comprising: making a composition by combining an essentially pure culture of  Trichoderma virens  (isolate G1-21) with an essentially pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  (strain FZB24) in a mixture; and applying said composition to a seed; wherein said mixture ranges in composition from 10 to 90 percent  Trichoderma virens  (isolate G1-21) by volume and from 90 to 10 percent  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  (strain FZB24) by volume.  
         [0111]     Yet a further embodiment of the invention is a process comprising: making a composition by combining an essentially pure culture of  Trichoderma virens  (isolate G1-21) with a plurality of essentially pure cultures of bacteria in a mixture; and applying said composition to a seed; wherein said mixture ranges in composition from 10 to 90 percent  Trichoderma virens  (isolate G1-21) by culture volume.  
         [0112]     In one embodiment of the invention the mixture ranges in composition from 10 to 90 percent  Trichoderma virens  by volume and from 90 to 10 percent  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  by volume. In another embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises about 20 percent  Trichoderma virens  by volume 80 percent  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  by volume. In a further embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises about 30 percent  Trichoderma virens  by volume 70 percent  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  by volume. In a yet further embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises about 40 percent  Trichoderma virens  by volume 60 percent  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  by volume.  
         [0113]     A further embodiment of the invention is an antagonist for controlling plant pathogens made by combining effective amounts of: a fungal antagonist selected from the group of an isolate of  Trichoderma virens  and mutants thereof; a bacterial antagonist selected from the group a strain of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  and mutants thereof; and a suitable carrier that is non-phytotoxic, non-bacteriostatic, and non-bactericidal. Preferably, the isolate is  Trichoderma  virens (isolate G1-21), which is presently EPA registered.  
         [0114]     In a further embodiment, the invention is an antagonist for controlling plant pathogens made by combining effective amounts of: a fungal antagonist selected from the group of  Trichoderma virens  (isolate G1-21) and mutants thereof; a plurality of bacterial antagonists; and a suitable carrier that is non-phytotoxic, non-bacteriostatic, and non-bactericidal. Preferably, the plurality of bacterial antagonists comprises a strain of  Bacillus lentimorbus.    
         [0115]     In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a method comprising: combining a spore-forming fungal strain and a spore-forming bacterial strain to produce a product comprising a composition of matter disclosed herein; and applying the product to a plant or to a part of the plant; whereby application of the product produces yield enhancement in the plant.  
         [0116]     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a method comprising: applying a  Trichoderma  spp. microorganism and a  Bacillus  spp. microorganism to a wettable powder to produce a combination comprising an antagonist disclosed herein; and applying the combination to a seed; whereby application of the combination produces a positive yield response in a plant growing from the seed.  
         [0117]     In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention is a process comprising: making a composition of matter disclosed herein; and applying said composition of matter to a seed; wherein said composition of matter ranges in composition from 1 to 99 percent  Trichoderma  virens by culture volume and from 99 to 1 percent  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  by culture volume.  
         [0118]     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a composition of matter comprising: a plant seed inoculated with an agricultural inoculum disclosed herein; wherein said combination increases the yield of the plant. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a method for increasing the yield of a plant, the method comprising: coating a seed of the plant with an effective amount of an agricultural inoculum disclosed herein; and culturing the plant.  
         [0119]     In another preferred embodiment, the invention is a composition made by combining effective amounts of: a spore-forming fungal antagonist; and a spore-forming bacterial antagonist; wherein the spore-forming fungal antagonist does not produce a substance that substantially inhibits the growth of the spore-forming bacterial antagonist and the spore-forming bacterial antagonist does not produce a substance that substantially inhibits the growth of the spore-forming fungal antagonist; and wherein the composition is effective at increasing the yield of a plant grown from a seed to which the composition has been applied. Preferably, the composition is effective at increasing the manganese content of the plant.  
         [0120]     The compositions of the present invention can be used for controlling fungal infestations by applying an effective amount of the composition or a formulation thereof, either at one point in time or throughout the plant/crop cycle via multiple applications. The formulation may be applied to the locus to be protected for example by spraying, atomizing, vaporizing, scattering, dusting, coating, watering, squirting, sprinkling, pouring, fumigating, and the like. The dosage of the bioagent(s) applied may be dependant upon factors such as the type of fungal pest, the carrier used, the method of application (e.g., seed, plant application or soil delivery) and climate conditions for application (e.g., indoors, arid, humid, windy, cold, hot, controlled), or the type of formulation (e.g., aerosol, liquid, or solid).  
         [0121]     Biocontrol agents comprising the disclosed compositions may be applied in agricultural, horticultural and seedling nursery environments. This generally includes application of agents to soil, seeds, whole plants, or plant parts (including, but not limited to, roots, tubers, stems, flowers and leaves). Bio-pesticide or microbial combinations may be used alone, however, they may additionally be formulated into conventional products such as dust, granule, microgranule, pellet, wettable powder, flowable powder, emulsion, microcapsule, oil, or aerosol. To improve or stabilize the effects of the bio-pesticide, the agent may be blended with suitable adjuvants and then used as such or after dilution if necessary.  
         [0122]     A worker skilled in the art would recognize that the bioagent(s) may be formulated for seed treatment either as a pre-treatment for storage or sowing. The seed may form part of a pelleted composition or, alternatively, may be soaked, sprayed, dusted or fumigated with the inventive compositions. Additionally, the inventive compositions may be applied to the soil or turf, a plant, crop, or a plantation. Some areas may additionally require that the invention provide for slow-release materials such that the agent is designed to have an extended release period.  
         [0123]     In use, the invention disclosed herein may comprise the application of an aqueous or a non-aqueous spray composition to the crop. For example, the inventive composition may be applied to the soil, or to a plant part (e.g., stalk, root or leaf), or both, as an aqueous spray containing spray adjuvants such as surfactants and emulsified agricultural crop oils which insure that the agent is deposited as a droplet which wets the stalk or leaf and is retained on the plant so that agent can be absorbed.  
         [0124]     The skilled artisan would realize that the inventive compositions may be applied in combination with nutrients (fertilizers) or herbicides or both, or may form part of a formulation comprising the inventive composition in combination with a fertilizer or herbicide or both. Such a formulation may be manufactured in the form of a liquid, a coating, a pellet or in any format known in the art.  
         [0125]     The skilled artisan would realize that the inventive compositions may be applied to seeds as part of stratification, desiccation, hormonal treatment, or a mechanical process to encourage germination or to terminate dormancy. Treatments including the inventive agents in combination with hormones, PEG, or varying temperature, or in combination with mechanical manipulation of the seed (i.e. piercing), are contemplated.  
         [0126]     Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description of further embodiments of the invention. A person skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments of the invention are possible and that the details of the invention can be modified in a number of respects, all without departing from the inventive concept. Thus, the following drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0127]     The features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate presently further embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0128]      FIG. 1  is a plot that compares the incidence of stalk rot in TJ1300-treated plots versus the incidence of stalk rot in control plots.  
         [0129]      FIG. 2  is a plot that compares final plant populations in TJ1300-treated plots versus final plant populations in control plots. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0130]     A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the fungus  Trichoderma virens  isolate G1-3 (ATCC 58678) or other isolates. These microorganisms may be obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md., 20852-1776 and other culture collections or isolated from nature.  
         [0131]     Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises  Trichoderma  ( Gliocladium ) virens isolate G1-21 which is being marketed under the trademark SoilGuard® 12G by Thermo Trilogy Corporation, 9145 Guilford Road, Suite 175, Columbia, Md. 21046.  
         [0132]     A further embodiment of the invention also comprises the bacterium  Bacillus lentimorbus  TJ 1000, which is renamed herein  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE, based on a more accurate determination of the name of  Bacillus  species that occurred before the parent patent application was filed. This microorganism was deposited with the ATTC on Oct. 31, 2001, and was assigned accession number ATCC BAA-390. Alternative embodiments of the invention comprise other strains which can be isolated from nature or obtained from ATCC or other culture collections.  
         [0133]     Another preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 which is being marketed under the trademark Taegro® by Earth Bioscience, Inc., 26 Sherman Court, PO Box 764, Fairfield, Conn. 06430.  
         [0134]     A further embodiment of the invention involves combining an essentially pure culture of  Trichoderma virens  and an essentially pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  in a competitive culture process. The competitive culture process involves adding the  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  to a growth medium about eight hours after the  Trichoderma virens  was added to the medium. The combined culture is then applied to a seed, for example, a corn seed. The combination grown in a competitive culture provides protection for seeds and plants and is especially effective in a high-stress, high-fungal pathogen environment during the early stages of plant development.  
         [0135]     A further embodiment of the invention involves growing an essentially pure culture of  Trichoderma virens  and an essentially pure culture of  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 separately for five days. After the cultures are grown separately, the compositions that contain them are combined in a 50/50 combination by volume and then the combination is applied to a seed, for example, a corn seed. The combined cultures are applied to a seed provides protection for seeds and plants from fungal pathogens. This combination is especially effective under conditions that are less stressful to the plant.  
         [0136]     A further step in the process involves applying either of the above combinations to a seed involves adding an aqueous solution comprising 30 grams/liter of molasses to the solution containing the combination to produce an appropriate spore count in the resulting composition. The resulting composition is then applied to the seed as a liquid mist to achieve optimum application rates per seed using the molasses as an adhesive to adhere the spores to the seed.  
         [0137]     In a further embodiment, the bioreactor used to culture the microorganism cultures is a New Brunswick Bioflow III bioreactor. For optimal results, the agitation setting of the bioreactor is set at about 350 rpm, the aeration setting of the bioreactor is set at about 3.0 with an aeration air pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch and the temperature setting is set at about 28 degrees Centigrade. The further growth medium for each of the individual cultures and the combined competitive culture comprises about 30 grams per liter of molasses and about 5 grams per liter of yeast extract and is referred to as a MYE medium. In A further embodiment, the medium contains about 5 milliliters of antifoam. In a further embodiment, spore production is measured by counting spores using a hemacytometer manufactured by Hausser Scientific.  
         [0138]     A variety of seed treatments or no seed treatment may be practiced before the seed is inoculated with the disclosed inoculum. In some further embodiments, seed treatments include osmotic priming and pre-germination of the seed. Because  Trichoderma virens  and  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  are spore formers, the disclosed inoculum does not require high moisture levels for survival and, therefore, can be applied to seed and other materials without a sticker, such as those sold under the trade names Pelgel (LipaTech), Keltrol (Xanthan) Cellprill or Bond.  
         [0139]     In a further embodiment, the invention involves combining of a spore forming fungal strain and a spore forming bacterial strain to enhance ease of use and longevity of shelf life both as a stored product and when applied to a seed. In A further embodiment, the invention involves applying the disclosed  Trichoderma  microorganism and the disclosed  Bacillus  microorganism to a wettable powder, and marketing the wettable powder.  
       First Greenhouse Working Example  
       [0140]     Greenhouse testing was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the disclosed biocontrol agents. Treated and untreated corn seeds were grown in soil infested with seven percent  Fusarium  infested wheat seed. In this testing, the following treatment codes were used: 
        CONTROL—Nothing on the seed     TJ 1000— Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 or 1 BE     TJ 0300— Trichoderma virens  G1-3     TJ 1300—50/50 combination of  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE     TJ 1310—competitive culture of  Trichoderma virens  G 1-3 and  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE, resulting in a 70/30 ratio of  Trichoderma  to  Bacillus          
 
         [0146]     The results of greenhouse testing are presented in Table 0. The rating scale used was 9=worst plant protection and 1=best plant protection. Seed treated with biocontrol organisms grown in competitive culture showed an increase in plant protection over seed treatments with the same biological control organisms grown in non-competitive culture. The biocontrol agents were applied to the seed without a sticker.  
                                                           TABLE 0                           Greenhouse Testing Results            Treatment   Replication 1   Replication 2   Replication 3   Average                    Control   9   7   6   7.3       TJ 0300   6   5   5   5.3       TJ 1000   7   6   5   6       TJ 1300   6   5   6   5.6       TJ 1310   1   3   3   2.3                  
 
       Field Trials Working Example  
       [0147]     In a subsequent experiment, field trials were conducted at seven locations throughout the U.S. Site locations included Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota and two South Dakota locations. At each location, the trial contained a CONTROL that was treated with the industry-standard chemical treatment, MAXIM. All cultures used in the trial were grown in MYE broth for five days.  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE was cultured individually (non-competitive) and with  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 (competitive culture).  Trichoderma virens  G 1-3 and  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 or 1BE were also grown in non-competitive culture were also applied to the same seed to test the effectiveness of non-competitive culture versus competitive culture. Corn seeds were treated to give a final concentration of 1,000,000,000 bacterial/fungal spores per acre. Seed treatment was done with a Gustafson benchtop seed treater, Model BLT.  
         [0148]     The plot location in Kansas was severely damaged by early dry conditions and the plot was terminated prior to harvest. The Colorado location was damaged due to machine damage prior to harvest. Colorado yield data were collected but were extremely variable and were not included in the analyzed data set. The Colorado stalk rot data were included in the data set.  
         [0149]     The value of the Stalk Rot variable was determined by counting ten plants in a row, determining the number of root rot/stalk rot infected plants and expressing that number as a percentage. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in six trials, the average infection rate in the control was 55.13 percent versus 38.62 percent in the entries treated with the fungal/bacterial combination, TJ1300. The data revealed an average reduction of disease incidence of 30 percent with the Colorado location showing a reduction of over 60 percent.  
         [0150]     The value of the Final Population variable was determined by a conducting a physical count of the plants in a measured area and converting to a per acre count. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the average increase in final plant population was 3,742 plants per acre or an increase of 12.2 percent. This increased population was the result of controlling the disease early and having less plant death throughout the season.  
         [0151]     Use of TJ1300 resulted in an average yield benefit of 5.35 bushels per acre. Average yield was determined from eight trials: 4 in South Dakota, 1 in North Dakota, 2 in Arizona, and 1 in Montana.  
       Second Greenhouse Working Example  
       [0152]     Greenhouse Methods: All test cultures were grown in MYE (three percent Molasses, 0.5 percent Yeast Extract) broth for five days. Bacteria were grown up individually (non-competitive) and with  T. virens  G1-3 (competitive culture).  T. virens  G1-3 was also grown in a non-competitive culture for testing.  T. virens  G1-3 and test bacteria grown in non-competitive culture were also applied to the same seed to test the effectiveness of non-competitive culture versus competitive culture. Corn seeds were treated to give a final concentration of 1×10 9  bacteria/fungal spores (may also be referred to a Colony Forming Units or CFU) per acre. Seed treatment was done with a Gustafson Benchtop Seed Treater, Model BLT. Seeds were grown in soil infested with seven percent  Fusarium -infested wheat seed. After four weeks, plant heights were taken as well as plant biomass. Plant heights were taken by measuring from the soil line to the tallest leaf, biomass of the plants was taken by cutting the plants at the soil line and then weighing plants on analytical scale. The treatment matrix was as follows: 
        Control—No pathogen added to soil.     Control—With pathogen added to soil.     TJ1000— Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE     TJ0300— Trichoderma virens  G1-3     TJ2000— Erwinia  carotovora     TJ1300— B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3 (non-competitive)     TJ2300— E. carotovora  and  T. virens  G1-3 (non-competitive)     TJ 1310— B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 or 1 BE and  T. virens  G 1-3 (competitive)     TJ1-2310— B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 or 1 BE,  E. carotovora  and  T. virens  G 1-3 (competitive)     TJ23 10— E. carotovora  and  T. virens  G 1-3 (competitive)        
 
         [0163]     Determination of CFU (Colony Forming Units) concentrations in competitive cultures: Competitive cultures grown for five days. CFU counts of each organism were performed using a hemacytometer (Hausser Scientific) under light microscopy 5000× magnification. This method was used to determine the CFU counts in the greenhouse and field trials.  
         [0164]     Enumeration through plate counts: Competitive cultures were grown for five days in submerged culture then 200 milliliters (ml) of the culture was harvested and aliquoted into four 50 ml centrifuge tubes. After centrifugation at 10,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 10 minutes resulting pellets were washed twice in equal volumes of D 2 H 2 O. Pellets were then re-suspended in 25 ml of saline. One ml samples were diluted 10 −1  to 10 −8  and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates. Colonies are then counted and correlated with the dilution rates to determine CFU per ml of culture broth.  
         [0165]     Results: All of the biocontrol agents in this experiment produced significant plant biomass increases over the pathogen-treated control and all of the treatments were numerically greater than the control plants in soil that contained no pathogen. The effects of bacterial/fungal combination TJ 1310 and the bacterial treatment TJ 1000 were significantly greater than both controls in the experiment.  
                                                           TABLE 1                           Demonstration of the Effectiveness of Biological Combinations       and Individual Bacteria and Individual Fungal Treatments on       Increasing the Biomass of Greenhouse-Grown Corn Seedlings       in Pathogen-Treated Soil vs. the Untreated Control                Treatment   Ratio   Rank   Biomass (grams)                            Control Path    0/0   10    3.62 a           Control No Path    0/0   9    7.25 ab           TJ 1300    50/50   8    8.67 b           TJ 2310    30/70   7    9.04 b           TJ 2000   100/0    6   10.73 b           TJ 1-2310   20/20/60   5   11.37 b           TJ 2300    50/50   4   11.41 b           TJ 0300     0/100   3   11.53 b           TJ 1310    30/70   2   12.24 bc           TJ 1000   100/0    1   12.89 bc           CV %           33.9           LSD (0.05)            4.55                      
 
       Combinations Field Trial Working Example  
       [0166]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the corn variety NK 3030Bt using the following biological treatments of the seed at a rate of approximately 106 CFU per seed. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 25,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at a location near Groton, S.Dak. The entries were as follows: 
        Control: Maxim Seed treatment (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection)     TJ 1000— Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE     TJ 0300— Trichoderma virens  G1-3     TJ 1300—50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ 1310—Coculture 30/70 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 or 1 BE and T. virens G1-3     TJ 66/300—50/50 combination of  Bacillus lentimorbus  and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0173]     Results: The trial produced significant yield response over the control with the entries TJ 0300, TJ 1300, and TJ 1310. The combinations TJ 1300 and TJ 1310 produced a yield response numerically greater than that of TJ 0300. The effects of bacterial/fungal combination TJ 66/300 and the bacterial treatment TJ 1000 were numerically greater than the control but not significantly greater. The results are presented in Table 2.  
         [0174]     Conclusion: The bacterial/fungal combinations of entries TJ 1300 and TJ 1310 are the most effective biocontrol treatments in the trial for increasing the yield of corn.  
                                         TABLE 2                           Effect of Biological Seed Treatment on Yield of       Corn Variety N3030 Bt under Field Conditions.            Treatment   Ratio   Rank   Location   Trial   Yield               Control Maxim   0/0   6   Groton, SD   Seed Treat   164.8 a       TJ 1000   100/0    4   Groton, SD   Seed Treat   175.1 ab       TJ 0300    0/100   3   Groton, SD   Seed Treat   179.5 bc       TJ 1300   50/50   2   Groton, SD   Seed Treat   183.3 bc       TJ 1310   30/70   1   Groton, SD   Seed Treat   189.8 c       TJ 66/300   50/50   5   Groton, SD   Seed Treat   173.2 ab       CV %                    13.54       LSD(0.05)                    12.5                  
 
       50/50 Combination Field Trial Working Example  
       [0175]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the corn variety NK 3030Bt using the following biological treatments of the seed at a rate of approximately 10 6  CFU per seed. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 25,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized replicated block. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at a location near Groton, S.Dak. The entries were as follows: 
        Control: Maxim Seed treatment (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection)     TJ 1300-50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0178]     Results: As indicated in Table 3, the trial produced a significant response in the yield of the seed treated with the biocontrol agent TJ 1300 (described above) as compared with the untreated control.  
                                         TABLE 3                           Effect of Biological Seed Treatment on Yield of       Corn Variety NK 3030Bt under Field Conditions.                Treatment   Ratio   Rep   Location   Yield                       Control   0/0   1   Groton, SD   156.8           Control   0/0   2   Groton, SD   163.3           Control   0/0   3   Groton, SD   151.0           Average   0/0       Groton, SD   157.03 a           1300   50/50   1   Groton, SD   184.3           1300   50/50   2   Groton, SD   179.1           1300   50/50   3   Groton, SD   177.3           Average   50/50       Groton, SD   180.21 b           CV %                5.65           LSD (0.05%)                9.04                      
 
       Application Rate Field Trial Working Example  
       [0179]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the corn variety NK2555 using the TJ 1300 (50/50) combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3) biological treatments of the seed at variable rates. The purpose of the trial was to identify the most effective application rate for the bacterial/fungal combination of TJ 1300. The 1× rate was approximately 1×6 CFU per seed. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 25,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at a location near Groton, S.Dak. The entries were as follows: 
        Control—Maxim (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection)     0.5× rate     1× rate     1.5× rate     2× rate        
 
         [0185]     Results: All of the biocontrol treatments in this experiment resulted in significant yield response over the control with the 1.5× rate producing significantly better results than the 2× rate. The results of this trial, presented in Table 4, indicated that the most efficacious application rate of the biocontrol agent TJ 1300 was approximately 1.5×10 6  per seed.  
                                         TABLE 4                           Effect of TJ1300 Biological Seed Treatment on       Yield of Corn Variety N2555 at Variable Rates            Treatment   Ratio   Rank   Location   Trial   Yield               Control   0/0   5   Groton, SD   Rate   140.2 a       0.5 × rate   50/50   3   Groton, SD   Rate   153.6 bc       1 × rate   50/50   2   Groton, SD   Rate   156.2 bc       1.5 × rate   50/50   1   Groton, SD   Rate   161.1 c       2 × rate   50/50   4   Groton, SD   Rate   152.07 b       CV %                    5.31       LSD (0.05%)                    8.61                  
 
       Liquid Biocontrol Preparations Working Example  
       [0186]     Materials and Methods: Field trials were conducted using the corn varieties NK 3030 and NK 3030Bt at a location in Brookings, S.Dak. and NK 3030Bt and NK2555 at a location in Groton, S.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to compare pathogen control of liquid biocontrol preparations to a control treated with only water. The results of the trial were quantified in yield of corn in bushels per acre. The water was applied to the control at a 10 gallon per acre rate. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 8  CFU per gram of a wettable powder (Mycotech, Inc.). Two and one half grams of the wettable powder was added per one gallon of water and soil applied in the seed furrow at a rate of 10 gallons per acre. The seed was Maxim (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection) treated and was planted at a seeding rate of 25,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at each location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control—Water     TJ 1000— Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 or 1BE     TJ 0300— Trichoderma virens  G1-3     TJ 1300—50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ 1310—Coculture 30/70 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and T virens G1-3     TJ 66/300—50/50 combination of  Bacillus lentimorbus  and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0193]     Results: Table 5 shows a significant yield increase to the biocontrol treatments of TJ 1000, TJ1300, and TJ 66/300. All of the biocontrol treatments showed a numerical yield increase.  
         [0194]     Table 6 shows a significant yield increase to the biocontrol treatments of TJ1000, TJ0300, and TJ1300. Again, all of the biocontrol treatments showed a numerical yield increase.  
         [0195]     Table 7 shows no significance in the yield between the treatments and the control, however, the yield of TJ0300 was numerically less than the control by over 10 bushels per acre and is significantly less than the yields of the TJ1000 and TJ 1310 bacterial/fungal combination. This table demonstrates the strength of the disclosed bacterial/fungal combinations over the fungal control alone.  
         [0196]     Table 8 shows the treatments of TJ 1000 and TJ 66/300 with significantly less yield than the control while the treatments of TJ0300, TJ1300, and TJ1310 having no significant difference. In this trial, it was the bacterial entry of TJ1000 alone that shows weakness in pathogen control. This table demonstrates the strength of disclosed bacterial/fungal combinations over the bacterial treatment alone.  
         [0197]     Conclusion: The bacterial/fungal combination of entries TJ 1300 and TJ 1310 produce consistent pathogen control and/or yield response, while the bacteria entry of TJ 1000 alone and fungal entry of TJ 0300 alone produce inconsistent pathogen control and/or yield response.  
                                                                       TABLE 5                           Liquid Drench Treatment on Corn Variety       NK3030 at Brookings, SD Location            Treat-                               ment   Variety   Ratio   Rank   Location   Trial   Yield               Control   NK3030   0/0   6   Brookings,   Liquid   162.2 a                       SD       TJ1000   NK3030   100/0    1   Brookings,   Liquid   179.7 b                       SD       TJ0300   NK3030    0/100   5   Brookings,   Liquid   170.7ab                       SD       TJ1300   NK3030   50/50   2   Brookings,   Liquid   177.9 b                       SD       TJ1310   NK3030   30/70   4   Brookings,   Liquid   172.8ab                       SD       TJ66/300   NK3030   50/50   3   Brookings,   Liquid   175.0 b                       SD            CV %                    7.38       LSD (0..20%)                    12.36                  
 
         [0198]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Liquid Drench Treatment on Corn Variety 
               
               
                 NK2555 at Groton, SD Location 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treat- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 ment 
                 Variety 
                 Ratio 
                 Rank 
                 Location 
                 Trial 
                 Yield 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Control 
                 NK2555 
                 0/0 
                 6 
                 Groton, 
                 Liquid 
                 136.2 a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
               
               
                 TJ1000 
                 NK2555 
                 100/0  
                 1 
                 Groton, 
                 Liquid 
                 147.7 c 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
               
               
                 TJ0300 
                 NK2555 
                  0/100 
                 2 
                 Groton, 
                 Liquid 
                 145.0bc 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
               
               
                 TJ1300 
                 NK2555 
                 50/50 
                 3 
                 Groton, 
                 Liquid 
                 142.5bc 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
               
               
                 TJ1310 
                 NK2555 
                 30/70 
                 4 
                 Groton, 
                 Liquid 
                 141.5abc 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
               
               
                 TJ66/300 
                 NK2555 
                 50/50 
                 5 
                 Groton, 
                 Liquid 
                 138.5abc 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
               
             
          
           
               
                 CV % 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  10.92 
               
               
                 LSD (0.20%) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  8.42 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0199]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Liquid Drench Treatment on Corn Variety 
               
               
                 NK 3030Bt at Brookings, SD Location 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treat- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 ment 
                 Variety 
                 Ratio 
                 Rank 
                 Location 
                 Trial 
                 Yield 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Control 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 0/0 
                 4 
                 Brookings, 
                 Li- 
                 181.5 ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ1000 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 100/0  
                 2 
                 Brookings, 
                 Li- 
                 185.5 b 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ0300 
                 NK3030Bt 
                  0/100 
                 6 
                 Brookings, 
                 Li- 
                 171.3 a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ1300 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 50/50 
                 5 
                 Brookings, 
                 Li- 
                 180.7ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ1310 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 30/70 
                 1 
                 Brookings, 
                 Li- 
                 185.8 b 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ66/300 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 50/50 
                 3 
                 Brookings, 
                 Li- 
                 181.6 ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
             
          
           
               
                 CV % 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  6.32 
               
               
                 LSD (0.20%) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  11.40 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0200]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Liquid Drench Treatment on Corn Variety 
               
               
                 3030Bt at Groton, SD Location 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treat- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 ment 
                 Variety 
                 Ratio 
                 Rank 
                 Location 
                 Trial 
                 Yield 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Control 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 0/0 
                 2 
                 Groton, 
                 Li- 
                 173.9 c 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ1000 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 100/0  
                 6 
                 Groton, 
                 Li- 
                 164.1 a 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ0300 
                 NK3030Bt 
                  0/100 
                 4 
                 Groton, 
                 Li- 
                 171.3abc 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ1300 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 50/50 
                 3 
                 Groton, 
                 Li- 
                 171.5abc 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ1310 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 30/70 
                 1 
                 Groton, 
                 Li- 
                 176.3 c 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
               
                 TJ66/300 
                 NK3030Bt 
                 50/50 
                 5 
                 Groton, 
                 Li- 
                 164.4 ab 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 SD 
                 quid 
               
             
          
           
               
                 CV % 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  10.92 
               
               
                 LSD (0.20%) 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                  8.42 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Compatibility with Dry Granule Micro-Nutrient Fertilizer Working Example  
       [0201]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the corn variety NK 3030Bt at a location in Groton, S.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to compare the compatibility and yield benefit of the biocontrol preparation TJ1300 in combination with a dry granule micro-nutrient fertilizer vs. the micro-nutrient fertilizer alone vs. a control with no micro-nutrient fertilizer. The micro-nutrient fertilizer is sold commercially by the applicant under the trademark TJ Micromix™. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 6  CFU per seed. The control seed was Maxim (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection) treated with the biocontrol treatments applied in addition to the Maxim. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 25,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. TJ Micromix™ was applied at a rate of 20 pounds per acre. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at each location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control: Maxim     TJ Micromix     TJ Micromix+TJ 1300-50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and      T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0206]     Results: In this trial, as shown in Table 9, the Granular TJ Micromix produced a non-significant yield increase compared to the control. When the seed-applied biocontrol treatment TJ1300 was applied in combination with the TJ Micromix, the treatment resulted in a significant increase in yield.  
         [0207]     Conclusion: The trial shows that TJ 1300 is compatible with micro-nutrient applications and the combination produces a significant yield response.  
                                         TABLE 9                           Effect of TJ Micromix and TJ Micromix + TJ       1300 on Corn Variety NK 3030Bt            Treatment   Variety   Rank   Location   Trial   Yield               Control   NK3030Bt   3   Groton, SD   Fertilizer   157.0 a       TJ Micromix   NK3030Bt   2   Groton, SD   Fertilizer   163.3 ab       TJ Micromix +   NK3030Bt   1   Groton, SD   Fertilizer   175.5 b       TJ 1300       CV %                    9.04       LSD (0.05%)                    5.64                  
 
       Compatibility with Liquid Chelate Micro-Nutrient Fertilizer Working Example  
       [0208]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the corn variety NK 3030Bt at a location in Groton, S.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to compare the compatibility and yield benefit of the biocontrol preparation TJ1300 in combination with a liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer vs. the liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer alone. The liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer is sold commercially under the Trademark TJ Micromix™-Cornmix. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 6  CFU per seed. The control seed was Maxim (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection) treated with the biocontrol treatments applied in addition to the Maxim. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 25,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. TJ Micromix™-Cornmix was applied at a rate of 1.5 quarts per acre. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at the location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control: Maxim+Liquid Chelate TJ Micromix     TJ Micro+TJ1000: Liquid Chelate TJ Micromix plus TJ 1000− B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE     TJ Micro+TJ0300: Liquid Chelate TJ Micromix plus TJ 0300− T. virens  G1-3     TJ Micro+TJ1300: Liquid Chelate TJ Micromix+TJ 1300−50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ Micro+TJ 1310: Liquid Chelate TJ Micromix+TJ 1310−Coculture 30/70 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ Micro+TJ66/300: Liquid Chelate TJ Micromix+TJ 66/300−50/50 combination of  Bacillus lentimorbus  and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0215]     Results: As shown in Table 10, the biocontrol treatments TJ1000, 66/300, and 1300 combined with the liquid chelate TJ Micromix resulted in a significant increase in yield over the control of TJ Micromix alone. The other biocontrol entries showed numerical but non-significant increases in yield. The conclusion was that the biocontrol agents used in this study are compatible with liquid chelate micro-nutrient applications. This biocontrol/liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer combination is a viable means to significantly increase the yield of corn.  
                                                                       TABLE 10                           Effect of TJ Micromix Liquid Chelate and TJ Micromix Liquid       Chelate + TJ 1300 on Yield of Corn Variety NK3030Bt            Treat-                               ment   Variety   Ratio   Rank   Location   Trial   Yield               Control   NK3030Bt   0/0   6   Groton,   Liquid   161.0 a                       SD   TJ                           Micro-                           mix       TJ   NK3030Bt   100/0    3   Groton,   Liquid   173.0 bc       Micro +               SD   TJ       TJ 1000                   Micro-                           mix       TJ   NK3030Bt    0/100   5   Groton,   Liquid   163.0 ab       Micro +               SD   TJ       TJ 0300                   Micro-                           mix       TJ   NK3030Bt   50/50   1   Groton,   Liquid   183.7 c       Micro +               SD   TJ       TJ 1300                   Micro-                           mix       TJ   NK3030Bt   30/70   4   Groton,   Liquid   172.0 ab       Micro +               SD   TJ       TJ 1310                   Micro-                           mix       TJ   NK3030Bt   50/50   2   Groton,   Liquid   173.2 bc       Micro +               SD   TJ       TJ 66/300                   Micro-                           mix            CV %                    11.2       LSD (0.05%)                    12.36                  
 
       Sunflower Dry Granule Micro-Nutrient Fertilizer Working Example  
       [0216]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the sunflower variety Pioneer 63M80 NuSun at a location in Hazelton, N.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to compare the compatibility and yield benefit of the biocontrol preparation TJ1300 in combination with a dry granule micro-nutrient fertilizer vs. the micro-nutrient fertilizer alone vs. a control with no micro-nutrient fertilizer. Analyzing yield of sunflower is a function of seed yield in pounds per acre and the amount of oil in the seed which is expressed as a percentage. The micro-nutrient fertilizer is sold commercially under the Trademark TJ Micromix™. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 6  CFU per seed. The control seed was Maxim (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection) treated with the biocontrol treatments applied in addition to the Maxim. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 22,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. TJ Micromix™ was applied at a rate of 20 pounds per acre. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at the location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control: Maxim     TJ Micromix     TJ 1300—50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ Micromix+TJ 1300-50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0221]     Results: As shown in Table 11, in this trial, the Granular TJ Micromix produced a significant yield increase and a significant oil percentage increase compared to the control. When the seed-applied biocontrol treatment TJ1300 was applied in combination with the TJ Micromix, the treatment resulted in a significant increase in yield as compared to the control but not significantly different from the TJ Micromix application alone. The yield of the TJ 1300+TJ Micromix was numerically higher in yield. The conclusion was that TJ 1300 is compatible with micro-nutrient applications and may be a viable tool to increase the yield of sunflower.  
                                         TABLE 11                           Effect of TJ1300 Liquid Biological Treatment Plus Dry Granular       TJ Micromix on Yield of Nu-sun Sunflower Variety 63M80            Treatment   Rank   Location   Trial   Yield   Oil               Control       Hazelton, ND   TJ Micro   1709.7 a   44.8 a       TJ Micromix       Hazelton, ND   TJ Micro   1857.3 bc   47.2 b       TJ 1300       Hazelton, ND   TJ Micro   1734.7ab   45.5 a       TJ 1300 + TJ       Hazelton, ND   MM   1864.7 bc   44.9 a       Micromix       CV %                 7.48    4.67       LSD (0.20)                132.8    1.5                  
 
       Sunflower Liquid Chelate Micro-Nutrient Working Example  
       [0222]     Materials and Methods: Field trial was conducted using the sunflower variety Pioneer 63M80 NuSun at 3 locations: Hazelton, N.Dak.; Kensal, N.Dak.; and Selby, S.Dak. The purpose of each trial was to compare the compatibility and yield benefit of the biocontrol preparation TJ1300 in combination with a liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer vs. an untreated control. Analyzing yield of sunflower is a function of seed yield in pounds per acre and the amount of oil in the seed which is expressed as a percentage. The liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer is sold commercially under the Trademark TJ Micromix™. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 8  CFU per gram to a wettable powder (Mycotech, Inc). 25 grams of the wettable powder was then added to 1.5 quarts of liquid chelate TJ Micromix and the combination applied in the seed furrow at a rate of 1.5 quarts per acre. The control seed was Maxim (Maxim is a trademark of Syngenta Crop Protection) treated with the biocontrol treatments applied in addition to the Maxim. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 22,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at each location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control—no treatment     TJ 1300-50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  G1-3 and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ1300+TJ Micromix−Liquid chelate TJ Micromix+50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  and  T. virens          
 
         [0226]     Result: As shown in Table 12, TJ Micromix liquid and the combination of TJ Micromix plus TJ 1300 both gave sunflower a significant increase in yield. TJ 1300+TJ Micromix produced an additional numerical increase in yield over the TJ Micromix alone.  
         [0227]     Conclusion: TJ 1300+TJ Micromix is a viable means of biocontrol delivery on sunflower and is a viable means of increasing the seed yield of sunflower.  
                                         TABLE 12                           Effect of TJ1300 Biological Liquid Plus Liquid TJ Micromix       Fertilizer on Yield of Nu-sun Sunflower Variety 63M80            Treatment   Ratio   Location   Trial   Yield   Oil               Control   0/0   Hazelton, ND   Liquid TJ   1709.7   44.8                   Micro       TJ 1300   50/50   Hazelton, ND   Liquid TJ   1765.0   45.5                   Micro       TJ1300 + TJ   50/50   Hazelton, ND   Liquid TJ   1992.3   45.9       Micromix           Micro       Control   0/0   Kensal, ND   Liquid TJ   2000.3   N/a                   Micro       TJ1300   50/50   Kensal, ND   Liquid TJ   2159.0   N/a                   Micro       TJ1300 + TJ   50/50   Kensal, ND   Liquid TJ   2329.0   N/a       Micromix           Micro       Control   0/0   Selby, SD   Liquid TJ   2225.0   43.2                   Micro       TJ 1300   50/50   Selby, SD   Liquid TJ   2324.0   44                   Micro       TJ1300 + TJ   50/50   Selby, SD   Liquid TJ   2228.5   44       Micromix           Micro       Control               1978.3 a   44 a       Average       TJ 1300               2082.8 b   44.75 a       TJ 1300 + TJ               2173.3 b   45.5 a       Micromix       CV %                10.58    4.67       LSD (0.05)                104.1   NS                  
 
       Soybean Liquid Chelate Micro-Nutrient Fertilizer Working Example  
       [0228]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the soybean variety Pioneer 91B52 a location near Groton, S.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to compare the compatibility and yield benefit of the biocontrol preparation TJ1300 in combination with a liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer vs. the liquid chelate alone vs. an untreated control. Yield in bushels per acre was used as the measure of the treatment response. The liquid chelate micro-nutrient fertilizer is sold commercially under the Trademark TJ Micromix™. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 8  CFU per gram to a wettable powder (Mycotech, Inc). Twenty-five grams of the wettable powder was then added to 10 gallons of water and applied in the seed furrow at a rate of 10 gallons per acre to establish treatment TJ1300. Twenty-five grams of the wettable powder was added to 1.5 quarts of liquid chelate TJ Micromix and the combination added to water to form a 10 gallon solution and applied in the seed furrow at a rate of 10 gallons per acre. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 175,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at the location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control—no treatment     TJ 1300−50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3     TJ1300+TJ Micromix−Liquid chelate TJ Micromix+50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0232]     Result: As shown in Table 13, TJ Micromix liquid and the combination of TJ Micromix plus TJ 1300 both gave soybean a significant increase in yield. TJ 1300+TJ Micromix produced an additional numerical but non significant increase in yield over the TJ Micromix alone.  
         [0233]     Conclusion: TJ 1300+TJ Micromix is a viable means of biocontrol deliver on soybean and is a viable means of increasing the yield of soybean.  
                                     TABLE 13                           Effect of TJ1300 Liquid Biological Treatment Plus Liquid       TJ Micromix Fertilizer on Yield of Soybean Variety 91B52            Treatment   Ratio   Location   Trial   Yield               Control   0/0   Groton, SD   Liquid TJ   54.2 a                   Micromix       TJ 1300   50/50   Groton, SD   Liquid TJ   60.8 b                   Micromix       TJ 1300 + TJ   50/50   Groton, SD   Liquid TJ   61.8 b       Micromix           Micromix       CV %                8.92       LSD (0.05)                4.19                  
 
       Soybean Dry Granule Micro-Nutrient Working Example  
       [0234]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using the soybean variety Pioneer 91B52 at a location near Groton, S.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to compare the compatibility and yield benefit of the biocontrol preparation TJ1300 in combination with a dry granule micro-nutrient fertilizer vs. the micro-nutrient fertilizer alone vs. a control with no micro-nutrient fertilizer. Soybean yield in bushels per acre was used to measure the treatment response. The micro-nutrient fertilizer is sold commercially under the Trademark TJ Micromix™. Biocontrol treatments were prepared by adding 1×10 5  CFU per seed. The seed was planted at a seeding rate of 175,000 seeds per acre in 30-inch rows in a randomized, replicated block. TJ Micromix™ was applied at a rate of 20 pounds per acre. Each entry was replicated four times. The pathogen levels were natural populations at each location. The entries were as follows: 
        Control: Maxim     TJ Micromix     TJ 1300−50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T.  virens G1-3     TJ Micromix+TJ 1300-50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ1000 or 1BE and  T. virens  G1-3        
 
         [0239]     Results: As shown in Table 14, in this trial, the Granular TJ Micromix produced a significant yield increase compared to the control. When the seed-applied biocontrol treatment TJ1300 was applied in combination with the TJ Micromix, the treatment resulted in a significant increase in yield as compared to the control but not significantly different from the TJ Micromix application alone. The yield of the TJ 1300+TJ Micromix was numerically higher.  
         [0240]     Conclusion: TJ 1300 is compatible with micro-nutrient applications and is a viable tool to increase the yield of soybean.  
                                     TABLE 14                           Effect of TJ1300 Biological Seed Treatment Plus Dry Granule       TJ Micromix Fertilizer on Yield of Soybean Variety 91B52            Treatment   Ratio   Location   Trial   Yield               Control   0/0   Groton, SD   TJ Micro   54.2 a       TJ Micromix   0/0   Groton, SD   TJ Micro   61.6 b       Granule       TJ 1300   50/50   Groton, SD   TJ Micro   62.5 b       TJ 1300 + TJ   50/50   Groton, SD   TJ Micro   63.3 b       Micromix       CV %                8.92       LSD (0.05)                4.19                  
 
       Spring Wheat Working Example  
       [0241]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted using Russ Spring wheat at a location near Kensal, N.Dak. The purpose of the trial was to test biocontrol TJ 1300 on spring wheat against an untreated control. The biocontrol TJ 1300 was applied to the seed so as to achieve an application rate of 2.5×10 9  CFU per acre. The plot was planted in a randomized, replicated block design with each entry replicated three times.  
         [0242]     Result: As shown in Table 15, the entry TJ 1300 produced a non-significant yield increase. The conclusion was that TJ 1300 may be of value as a seed treatment on wheat.  
                                         TABLE 15                           Effect of TJ1300 Biological Seed Treatment       Plus Fertilizer on Russ Spring Wheat                Treatment   Ratio   Location   Trial   Yield                       Control   0/0   Kensal,   MM   43.8                   ND           1300   50/50   Kensal,   MM   44.0                   ND           CV %                7.52           LSD (0.05)               NS                      
 
       Field Peas Working Example  
       [0243]     Materials and Methods: A field trial was conducted to compare the biocontrol treatment TJ 1300 to a non-treated control on field peas. The seed was treated with the biocontrol agent to achieve an application of 2.5×10 9  CFU per acre. Yield response was measured as pounds per acre.  
         [0244]     Results: As shown in Table 16, the entry TJ 1300 produced a non-significant yield increase in field peas. The conclusion was that TJ 1300 may be an effective tool to increase the yield of field peas.  
                                                                           TABLE 16                           Effect of TJ1300 Biological Seed Treatment       on Yield of Integra Field Pea            Treatment   Ratio   Rep   Location   Trial   Yield   Test weight                    Control   0/0   Ave   Carrington,   Pea   3590.0   62.9               of 3   ND       1300   50/50   Ave   Carrington,   Pea   3613.0   63.5               of 3   ND       CV %                   7   0.5       LSD                   ns   Ns       (0.05)                  
 
       Increased Manganese Uptake Working Example  
       [0245]     A surprising aspect of the subject invention is that plants that grow from seeds treated with the disclosed combination experience increased uptake of manganese. The protective nature of increased manganese uptake is documented in Project S-269: Biological Control and Management of Soilbome Plant Pathogens for Sustainable Crop Production, 5 th  International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements. Jul. 11-15 1999. Vienna, Austria, p. 1086-1087. Dr. Don Huber of Purdue University has documented the connection between an imbalance in the ratio of nitrogen to manganese and the incidence of stalk rot in corn. (Huber D.  
         [0246]     2000. “Hidden Hunger” threatens many crops. Purdue News. Online at WWW URL purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/0012.Huber.deficiency.html or news.uns.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/0012.Huber.deficiency.html  
         [0247]     The disclosed combination of  Trichoderma virens  and  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  for the purpose of plant pathogen control and increased plant yield thus has unexpected characteristics. The first is the fact that the combination produces an increase in yield, not just plant protection from the pathogen. Plant tissue analysis from test plots presented in Tables 17 and 18 below show an unexpected trend toward higher nutrient intake of a nutrient, manganese.  
         [0248]     The treatments that produced the surprising results shown in Table 17 are defined as follows: 
        bs-unt-bt=Brookings, SD location−no treatment on the seed−Bt variety of corn     bs-max-bt=Brookings, SD location−chemical fungicide Maxim on the seed−Bt variety of corn     bs-1000-bt=Brookings, SD location− Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 on the seed−Bt variety     bs-0300-bt=Brookings, SD location− Trichoderma virens  G1-3 on the seed−Bt variety of corn     bs-1300-bt=Brookings, SD location− B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 and  T. virens  G1-3 (1 to 1 ratio) on the seed−Bt variety of corn     bs-1310-bt=Brookings, SD location− B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 and  T. virens  G 1-3 (7 to 3 ratio) on the seed−Bt variety of corn     bs-66/300-bt=Brookings, SD location− B. lentimorbus  and  T. virens  G1-3 (1 to 1 ratio) on the seed−Bt variety of corn        
 
         [0256]     The term “Bt” is defined as: A corn hybrid that has been genetically modified by the insertion of a gene from the bacteria  Bacillus thuringiensis . The inserted gene produces a protein that will kill European corn bore that feed on the plant tissue.  
                                                                                                                                     TABLE 17                           Effects of Treatments on Plant Mineral Content       on Bt Variety of Corn at Brookings SD Location                Concentration            Treatment   N   P   K   Mg   Ca   S   Na   Fe   Mn   B   Cu   Zn                    bs-unt-bt   3.43   0.39   1.65   0.66   1.11   0.29   0.003   110   105   17   18   32       bs-max-bt   3.42   0.43   2.10   0.56   0.91   0.27   0.005   117   91   14   18   29       bs-1000-bt   3.44   0.40   2.10   0.52   0.86   0.24   0.004   96   91   12   13   25       bs-300-bt   3.38   0.41   2.02   0.58   1.00   0.27   0.004   97   98   12   14   25       bs-1300-bt   3.36   0.43   1.89   0.66   1.11   0.27   0.004   118   134   13   16   28       bs-1310-bt   3.45   0.41   1.69   0.59   1.02   0.25   0.004   182   106   16   15   27       bs-66/300-bt   3.30   0.42   2.19   0.58   1.04   0.27   0.004   112   107   16   15   29                  
 
         [0257]     The treatments that produced the surprising results in Table 18 are defined as follows: 
        bl-unt-non=Brookings location−no treatment on the seed−non Bt variety of corn (non Bt can also be described as: non genetically modified)     bl-max-non=Brookings location−chemical fungicide Maxim on the seed−non Bt variety of corn     bl-1000-non=Brookings location− Bacillus amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 on the seed−non Bt variety of corn     bl-300-non=Brookings location− Trichoderma virens  G1-3 on the seed−non Bt variety of corn     bl-1300-non=Brookings location− B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 and  T. virens  G1-3 on the seed (1 to 1 ratio)−non Bt variety of corn (one of the claimed combinations)     bl-1310-non=Brookings location− B. amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 and  T. virens  G1-3 on the seed (7 to 3 ratio)—non Bt variety of corn        
 
         [0264]     bl-66/300-non=Brookings location− B. lentimorbus  and  T. virens  G1-3 on the seed (1 to 1 ratio)−non Bt variety of corn  
                                                                                                                                     TABLE 18                           Effects of Treatments on Plant Mineral Content on       Non Bt Variety of Corn at Brookings SD Location                Concentration            Treatment   N   P   K   Mg   Ca   S   Na   Fe   Mn   B   Cu   Zn                    bl-unt-non   3.33   0.39   1.93   0.55   0.85   0.21   0.005   76   103   12   13   24       bl-max-non   3.28   0.48   2.39   0.62   0.92   0.24   0.007   101   116   12   15   28       bl-1000-non   3.14   0.51   2.39   0.64   0.95   0.25   0.008   103   115   12   15   26       bl-300-non   3.19   0.48   2.21   0.65   0.93   0.24   0.009   95   99   15   15   24       bl-1300-non   3.38   0.48   2.43   0.60   0.96   0.25   0.006   111   137   13   15   26       bl-1310-non   3.21   0.46   2.18   0.68   1.03   0.26   0.007   108   117   18   16   25       bl-66/300-non   3.23   0.43   1.96   0.61   0.86   0.23   0.009   93   95   11   13   25                  
 
         [0265]     Manganese is known in the art as a disease prevention micronutrient. However, if manganese is added to fertilizer and applied to corn, the expected result is a decrease in yield. The significance of the subject invention is that it increases the manganese content of the corn plant while increasing yield. Furthermore, the increase in the manganese content in the plant does not occur with either organism alone or when the  Trichoderma virens  is combined with a different organism (e.g., treatment 66/300) or the formulation of the mixture is altered (e.g., treatment 1310). This increase in manganese content of the plant tissue is documented in tables 1 and 2 above on Bt (genetically modified) corn and conventional (non-genetically modified) corn. Tissue analysis of the corn in the charts above was done after the silking and pollination of the corn, documenting that this increase in manganese continues into the late stages of growth. Late season intake is significant because the lack of manganese in the plant is implicated in mid to late season stalk rot.  
         [0266]     Data from disclosed combinations of the  Trichoderma  with other bacteria strains show that other combinations tested did not increase the manganese levels to the level of the present invention. It is surprising that neither organism alone increased the manganese level in the tissue of the corn. Only seed treatment with the claimed combination of the  T. virens  G1-3 fungus and the  B. amyloliquefaciens  bacterium increase the manganese level in the tissue of both the Bt and non-Bt corn.  
       Consistency of Increased Yield Working Example  
       [0267]     Another surprising aspect of the subject invention is unexpected consistency of increased yield: (1) consistency compared to either organism alone, in that our field trial results show the claimed combination to be significantly higher in yield over the control in both individual locations and multiple location and either organism alone did not produce a significant yield response over the control; (2) consistency across geography, in that the field trial results show the combination to be effective in a number of geographies from North Dakota to Arizona; and (3) consistency of higher yield in a more than one crop, in that the field data collected on corn, soybeans, sunflowers and wheat show significant increased in yield with the claimed combination. Field trial results are presented in the above working examples. The results of those field trials produced a surprisingly consistent yield response, and consistency is what is commercially important.  
         [0268]     The disclosed combination of microorganisms gives more consistent yield response than either microorganism alone. The claimed combination produces a consistent increase in yield over a range of conditions while alone the microorganisms do not. The data in the patent application show this, but the data presented in Table 19 below that was produced at the experiment station in Carrington, N.Dak. show this effect.  
                                                               TABLE 19                           Consistency of Yield Response                2000   2001   2002   3 YR                            Control   96.9   146   87.7   110.2             Bacillus     93.3   150   94.9   112.7             T. virens     94.7   162   88.5   115.1           QuickRoot   105.6   156   90.4   117.3           1310   89.5   151   88.5   109.6                      
 
 In Table 19, the treatments are defined as follows: 
        Control=chemical fungicide Maxim      Bacillus=B. amyloliquefaciens  alone      T. virens=T. virens  G1-3 alone     Quick Root=QuickRoots™ is the product name of the claimed combination of  T. virens  G1-3 and  B. amyloliquefaciens       1310= T. virens  G1-3 and  B. amyloliquefaciens  at a 7:3 ratio.        
 
         [0274]     The column headings in Table 19 denote the year of the trial with “3YR” indicating the average treatment response for the combined three years. Note that in 2000, seed treatment with the individual organisms alone (the individual components of the claimed combination) produced yields that were less than control. In 2001, seed treatment with individual organisms both produced yields that were greater than the control as did the claimed combination. In 2002, seed treatment with the individual organisms produced yields that were greater than the control and again the claimed combination increased yield as well.  
         [0275]     The North Dakota data presented in Table 19 document consistency in two of ways. First, in reviewing year 2000 data, neither the  Bacillus  bacteria (1000) seed treatment nor the  Trichoderma  fungi (G1-3) seed treatment by themselves produced a positive yield response; but the claimed combination did produce a positive response. Two negative responses added together do not produce a positive. Synergism is what creates positive response from two negatives. In years 2001 and 2002, the performance of treatments with the bacteria and the fungi traded places as the top seat while the performance of the claimed combination performed between treatments with the individual components. Overall, the consistent performance of the claimed combination gave the largest yield advantage because of consistency of response. These data are from the same location; only weather changed from season to season. The  Bacillus  alone seed treatment did not perform well at all in the average and the  Trichoderma  alone seed treatment only averaged well because it had one great performance out of three.  
         [0276]     Presented in Table 20 is a compilation of data from three years of field trials, 63 entries, at 12 locations. The test plots were located at North Dakota State University, University of Arizona, and Colorado State University. This compilation clearly shows the 50/50 combination of  B. amyloliquefaciens+T. virens  (one of the claimed combinations) produces a significantly higher yield than the control and than either organism alone. It should be noted that while the individual components show a numerical increase in yield, it is a non-significant increase at a 0.05 rejection level while the claimed combination is significant at a 0.05 rejection level.  
                                                           TABLE 20                           QuickRoots ™ Effect on Corn Yield in Replicated Field Trials.       3 Year Average Evaluating QuickRoots ™/Maxim vs. Maxim            Treatment   Moisture   Yield   Pricing   Advantage                    Control   17.5   154.77   $300.25             B. amyloliquefaciens     17.5   158.7   $307.88   $7.62       alone         T. virens  alone   17.4   158.81   $308.57   $8.31         B. amyloliquefaciens     17.5   161.62   $313.54   $13.29       +  T. virens         combined 50/50       Mean   17.5   158.88   $307.56       CV (%)   23.3   21.7       LSD (0.05)    .19(NS)   5.05                  
 
       Corn Variety NK 2555 Treatment with Other Strains Working Example  
       [0277]     Materials and Methods: For these studies  Trichoderma virens  G1-21 (an isolate that is commercially available from Thermo Trilogy Corporation) and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24 (a strain that is commercially available from Earth Biosciences, Inc.) were selected. The plot entries (treatments) were as follows: 
        Treatment A—Control (MAXIM, industry standard fungicide seed treatment)     Treatment B— T. virens  G1- 3+Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000     Treatment C— T. virens  G1- 21+Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000     Treatment D— T. virens  G1- 3+Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24     Treatment E— T. virens  G1- 21+Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24        
 
         [0283]     The treatments were applied to corn seed (NK 2555) at equal rates of at least 1×10 6  fungal spores and 1×10 6  bacterial spores per seed. Previous field trials had confirmed that Treatment B produced an unexpected synergism that consistently and significantly increased yield in plants. The follow up field trials were conducted with the same test protocol as the initial trials and set up as a randomized—replicated block.  
         [0284]     Results: Presented in Table 21 are the results of this trial. In this trial, all of the  T. virens−Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  combinations produced a numerically positive response. These results gave strong indication that combinations of  T. virens  and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  produce a synergistic effect that is similar to that discovered when  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 were combined and placed in the vicinity of the seed.  
                                                           TABLE 21                           Treatment of Corn Variety NK 2555       with Other Strains and Isolates                Treatment   Test Weight   Moisture   Yield                            A   55.9   21.8   173.6           B   56.9   20.4   177.2           C   56.9   20.3   183.2           D   56.3   20.9   181.1           E   55.7   20.6   182.2           C.V.   5.4           LSD .05   16.3                      
 
       Corn Variety NK 3030 Bt Treatment with Other Strains Working Example  
       [0285]     This trial compared the treatment of  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 vs.  Trichoderma virens  GL-21 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24 vs. a control (Maxim, industry standard fungicide seed treatment). Plot entries were as follows: 
        Treatment A—Control (MAXIM, industry standard fungicide seed treatment)     Treatment B— T. virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000     Treatment C— T. virens  G1-21 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24        
 
         [0289]     Materials and Methods: Corn seed (NK 3030 Bt) was treated at the same rate of  Bacillus  and  Trichoderma  as in the previous working example and the seed was planted in a randomized—replicated block design.  
         [0290]     Results: Presented in Table 22 are the results of this trial. In this trial, the yields of Treatments B and C were significantly greater than the control. Treatment B was numerically superior to Treatment C but not significantly. The results of this trial also indicated that other combinations of  T. virens  and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  can be expected to show a synergistic response.  
                                                           TABLE 22                           Treatment of Corn Variety NK 3030       Bt with Other Strains and Isolates                Treatment   Test Weight   Moisture   Yield                            A   52.5   21.5   172.1           B   54.6   21.5   210.0           C   55.3   21.6   192.8           C.V.   8.09           LSD .05   19.43                      
 
       Combined Trials with Other Strains Working Example  
       [0291]     This example compared the same treatments as the previous working example, which were as follows:  Trichoderma virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000 vs.  Trichoderma virens  G1-21 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24 vs. a control (MAXIM). This trial differed from the previous working example because it compared 43 entries from 12 locations and 6 different corn hybrids. Plot entries were as follows: 
        Treatment A—Control (MAXIM, industry standard fungicide seed treatment)     Treatment B— T. virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000     Treatment C— T. virens  G1-21 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24        
 
         [0295]     Materials and Methods: Seed was treated the same as in the previous two trials and each location was randomized and replicated.  
         [0296]     Results: Presented in Table 23 are the results of this trial. This trial used a larger data set and revealed that the yield increase with the originally discovered combination of Treatment B ( Trichoderma virens  G1-3 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  TJ 1000) is significantly greater than the control while the yield increase with Treatment C ( T. virens  G1-21 and  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  FZB24) is not significantly greater, even at the 0.20 rejection level. However, Treatment C did not show a numerical yield decrease nor did it show a significant yield decrease compared to the control. A yield decrease compared to the control would most likely have occurred if the microorganisms in the combination were antagonistic to each other. This result clearly showed that the original discovery (Treatment B) was superior to the Treatment C. The result also showed that Treatment C is a potentially beneficial treatment.  
                                                             TABLE 23                           Treatment with Other Strains and Isolates                Treatment   Yield in Bushels per Acre                            A   153.84           B   160.63           C   156.36                C.V.   3.42               LSD .20   4.4                      
 
         [0297]     Many variations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Some variations include non-competitive culturing of the biocontrol organisms. Other variations call for competitive culturing. All such variations are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention.