WO2018195603A1

WO2018195603A1 - Bacterial inoculants

Info

Publication number: WO2018195603A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/050387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Milton Mathew Franco
Original assignee: The Flinders University Of South Australia
Priority date: 2017-04-27
Filing date: 2018-04-27
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Also published as: AU2024216467A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to bacterial inoculants, and methods for their use, to control a fungal root disease in a plant and promote plant growth in water limited conditions. In particular strains of Paenibacillus and Streptomyces are disclosed.

Description

BACTERIAL INOCULANTS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Application No. 2017901523, filed April 27, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/568,763, filed October 5, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in conjunction with this specification and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said copy is named 33524-40357_WO.txt, and is 26715 bytes in size.

FIELD

The present invention relates to bacterial inoculants, and methods for their use, to control a fungal root disease in a plant and promote plant growth in water limited conditions.

BACKGROUND

Root diseases are a major constraint in cropping systems worldwide. Root diseases are difficult to control with fungicides as they are below ground and

management practices often provide only partial reductions in disease.

Two major genera of fungal root rot pathogens are Rhizoctonia and Pythium which infect multiple crop types in broad acre and horticulture crops. These pathogens infect roots of plants, reducing germination and establishment of emerging seedlings and causing loss of root hairs and breakdown of roots in established plants and thereby reducing the plants access to water and nutrients resulting in reduced growth and yield. In broad acre cereal cropping systems these pathogens are ubiquitous and the increase in minimal or no -till tillage practices has increased the impact of these diseases. Their broad host range means there are few non-host crops to use in rotations to reduce pathogen inoculum and there are no resistant cereal cultivars available.

In dryland cereal cropping systems, Rhizoctonia root rot, caused by Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group AG8 is the main fungal root disease, especially in low rainfall zones, causing an estimated yield loss of Aus $77 mil per annum in

Australia. R. oryzae is also an important root pathogen in cereals. Pythium damping off and root rot is caused by a number of Pythium species, with P. irregulare and P. ultimum being the main species infecting cereals with the prevalence and severity of disease increasing in higher rainfall zones causing an estimated yield loss of Aus $1 1 mil per annum in Australia.

The incidence and severity of Rhizoctonia and Pythium diseases on crop plants are known to be influenced by soil and plant associated microbes, with numerous reports of bacteria and fungi able to reduce disease under controlled conditions in pots. However, further improved microbial inoculants to control fungal root diseases in valuable crops, such as wheat or canola, are desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 depicts a phylogenetic tree visualizing the phylogenetic relationship between strain 9.4E (P9), strain 10.6D (P1 0), and other Paenibacillus strains.

FIG. 2 depicts a phylogenetic tree visualizing the phylogenetic relationship between strain HCA1273 (S12), and other Streptomyces strains.

FIG. 3 depicts a phylogenetic tree visualizing the phylogenetic relationship between strain BD141 (S14), and other Streptomyces strains.

DESCRIPTION

Nucleotide and amino acid sequences are referred to herein by a sequence identifier number (SEQ ID NO:). A summary of the sequence identifiers is provided below:

In this work over 2,000 microbial strains were screened in a multi-tiered screening system to identify strains which can reduce disease when applied to seeds under field cropping conditions. Strains were sequentially screened in a high-throughput plant- pathogen tube system, then pot bioassay systems, characterised, and selected strains assessed in field trials. Field trials were carried out in cereal growers' paddocks with naturally occurring pathogen inoculum.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a bacterial inoculant for controlling a fungal root disease on a plant.

A "bacterial inoculant" as referred to herein should be understood as any isolated microorganism which may be inoculated onto a plant in order to control a fungal root disease.

An "isolated" bacterial microorganism should be understood to be any bacterial microorganism which has been removed from its native environment and grown or cultured in vitro. In some embodiments, an isolated bacterial microorganism may be substantially purified and thus grown or cultured substantially in the absence of other microorganisms. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the isolated

microorganism may be co-cultured with one or more additional microorganisms. As referred to herein, terms such as "inoculating", "inoculated", "inoculation" and the like should be understood to include any method or process wherein a plant (including without limitation a plant seed, leaf, root) is brought into contact with a bacterial inoculant by human ingenuity such that the bacterial inoculant exists on or in the plant in a manner not found in nature prior to the application of the bacterial inoculant. In some embodiments inoculation may comprise the bacterial inoculant being applied to a wheat seed or canola plant seed. In some embodiments inoculation may comprise the bacterial inoculant being applied to soil in which a wheat or canola plant is growing or in which a wheat or canola seed will be planted. In some embodiments, inoculation may comprise the bacterial inoculant being applied to root and/or shoot tissue of a wheat or canola plant. I n some embodiments inoculation may be the mechanical or manual application, artificial inoculation or disposition of a bacterial inoculant onto or into a plant or plant growth medium. A plant growth medium is any composition or environment in which a plant may be grown. In some embodiments, the plant growth medium is soil.

As described later, in some embodiments, the bacterial inoculants contemplated by the present invention are from a specific genus or species, comprise a defining 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence, and/or comprise a defined bacterial strain.

As also set out above, the present invention contemplates control of a fungal disease of a plant. In some embodiments, the fungal disease is a root disease of a monocot or dicot plant. In some embodiments, the monocot is a cereal plant. In some embodiments the cereal plant is member of the plant family Poaceae or Gramineae, for example: wheat, rice, corn, barley, millet, sorghum, oat, rye, or related grain producing plant. In some embodiments, the dicot is a member of the plant family Fabaceae or Leguminosae, for example: soybeans, peas, beans, lentils, peanuts, alfalfa, clover, or related plants. In some embodiments, the dicot is a member of the plant family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae, for example: canola, rapeseed, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, radish, mustard, turnip, or related plants.

A "wheat plant", as referred to herein, should be understood to include plants of the genus Triticum. In some embodiments, the term "wheat" should be understood to include one or more of diploid wheat, tetraploid wheat and/or hexaploid wheat. In some embodiments, the wheat plant may be a cultivated species of wheat including, for example, Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, Triticum

monococcum or Triticum spelta. In some embodiments, the term "wheat" refers to wheat of the species Triticum aestivum.

A "canola plant", as referred to herein, should be understood to include plants of the genus Brassica, particularly B. napus, B. rapa, B. campestris, B. oleracea, B. montana, and hybrids thereof. In some embodiments, the term "canola" should be understood to include one or more of rape, rapeseed, oilseed rape, Argentine canola, and colza. In some embodiments, the canola plant may be a cultivated species of canola. In some embodiments, the canola plant may be a species canola of including, for example, B. napus subsp. oleifera, B. napus subsp. napus, B. napus subsp. napus f. annua, B. napus subsp. napus f. napus, Brassica campestris subsp. napus, or Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera. In some embodiments, the term "canola" refers to canola of the species Brassica napus L and subspecies thereof.

As also set out above, the present invention contemplates bacterial inoculants for the control of a fungal disease in a plant. In some embodiments, the fungal disease is a root disease of a monocot or dicot plant. In some embodiments, the present invention contemplates bacterial inoculants for the control of a fungal root disease in a wheat plant or a canola plant.

In some embodiments, "control" of a fungal root disease in a plant may be understood as enhancement of one or more growth parameters in an inoculated plant relative to an uninoculated plant of the same taxon in the presence of the fungal root disease. In some embodiments, the plant is a wheat plant or a canola plant.

In some embodiments, enhancement of a growth parameter will include an increase in the measured value of the growth parameter. For example, an increase in one or more of:

a length and/or mass of a shoot; a length and/or mass of a root; a number and/or mass of seed;

a concentration and/or amount of a nutrient; or a germination rate. In some embodiments, an "increase" in a growth parameter may include, for example, a 1 %, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 2- -fold, 5—fold, 10-fold, 20-fold, 50~fold, 100-fold increase in the growth parameter in an inoculated plant relative to a plant of the same taxon that has not been inoculated. In some embodiments, the plant is grown in the presence of a fungal root disease. In some embodiments, the plant is grown in water limited conditions. In some embodiments, the plant is a wheat plant or a canola plant.

In some embodiments, however, "enhancement" of the growth parameter may include a decrease in the measured value of the growth parameter. For example, a decrease in the concentration and/or amount of a pathogen, disease symptom and/or toxin in the plant, and/or a decrease in the time of germination of a wheat or canola plant seed, may be considered "enhancement" of such growth parameters.

In some embodiments, a "decrease" in a growth parameter may include, for example, a 1 %, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% decrease in the growth parameter in an inoculated plant relative to a plant of the same taxon that has not been inoculated. In some embodiments, the plant is grown in the presence of a fungal root disease. In some embodiments, the plant is grown in water limited conditions. In some embodiments, the plant is a wheat plant or a canola plant.

In some embodiments, enhancement of a growth parameter may comprise enhancement within a particular time period. For example, in some embodiments, enhancement of the growth parameter may comprise enhancement over a time period of at least 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 days.

As set out above, the present invention contemplates a bacterial inoculant for controlling a fungal root disease on a wheat or canola plant. A "fungal root disease" as referred to herein should be understood as any disease of a plant which infects or damages the roots of the plant and which is caused by a fungus or fungal-like pathogen. A "fungal-like" pathogen should be understood to specifically include Oomycete pathogens such as pathogens of the genus Pythium. In some

embodiments, the fungal root disease is a disease of a wheat or canola plant.

In some embodiments, the fungal root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia. In some embodiments, the pathogen is of the species

Rhizoctonia solani. In some embodiments, the pathogen is Rhizoctonia solani AG8. In some embodiments, the pathogen is of the species Rhizoctonia oryzae.

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant of the first aspect of the invention includes a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus that is able to at least control a fungal root disease caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia. In some embodiments, the microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus is able to at least control a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia on or in a wheat or canola plant.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 1 00% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having an atpD gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 7. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises an atpD gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 7.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a recA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a recA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 8.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a trpB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 9. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a trpB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 9.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a gyrB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 10. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a gyrB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 10.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a recA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 . In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a recA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 1 .

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having an atpD gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 12. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises an atpD gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 12.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a trpB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 13. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a trpB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 13.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibacillus includes a microorganism having a GyrB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 14. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a gyrB gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14.

When comparing nucleic acid sequences to calculate a percentage identity (in relation to any of the SEQ ID NOS herein, the compared nucleic acid sequences should be compared over a comparison window of, for example, at least 100 nucleotide residues, at least 300 nucleotide residues, at least 600 nucleotide residues, at least 1000 nucleotide residues, at least 1 100 nucleotide residues, at least 1200 nucleotide residues, at least 1300 nucleotide residues or at least 1400 nucleotide residues. In some embodiments, the comparison window may comprise the region in each of the compared nucleotide sequences between and including the binding sites of the 27f primer (SEQ ID NO: 1 ) and the 1465r primer (SEQ ID NO: 2) on the compared nucleotide sequences. The comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) of about 20% or less as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. Optimal alignment of sequences for aligning a comparison window may be conducted by computerized implementations of algorithms such as the BLAST family of programs as, for example, disclosed by Altschul et al. (Nucl. Acids Res. 25: 3389--3402, 1997). A detailed discussion of sequence analysis can be found in Unit 1 9. 3 of Ausubel et al. (Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons Inc., Chapter 15,1 998).

A number of particularly useful actinobacterial microorganisms of the present invention have been deposited with the National Measurement Institute ('ΝΜΓ), 1/153 Bertie Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria, 3207, Australia, in accordance with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant includes

microorganism Paenibacillus sp. 1 0.6D as deposited on 9 March 2017 with the National Measurement Institute under NMI accession number V17/004922; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant. In some embodiments, the mutant or derivative retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant, where the root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia.

A "mutant or derivative" of the subject deposited microorganisms referred to herein should be understood to encompass, for example, any spontaneous or induced mutant, conjugation progeny or genetically modified form of a deposited strains which retains the ability to enhance one or more growth parameters of a plant. In some embodiments, a mutant or derivative retains the ability to enhance one or more growth parameters of a wheat or canola plant in the presence of the fungal root disease or under water limited conditions. Mutagenisation techniques that may be used to generate derivatives or mutants include, for example, chemical mutagenesis (e.g., EMS mutagenesis), ionising radiation-induced mutagenesis (e.g., X-ray mutagenesis, γ-ray mutagenesis and UV mutagenesis), genetic insertion mutagenesis methods (e.g., transposon mutagenesis) and the like. In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant of the first aspect of the invention includes a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces that is able to at least control a fungal root disease caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia. In some embodiments, the microorganism of the genus Streptomyces is able to at least control a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia on or in a wheat or canola plant.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Streptomyces includes a microorganism having a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 5. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5.

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Streptomyces sp. HCA1273 as deposited on 9 March 2017 with the National Measurement Institute under NMI accession number V17/004924; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant. In some embodiments, the mutant or derivative retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant, where the root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia.

In some embodiments, the fungal root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium. In some embodiments, the pathogen is of the species Pythium irregulare. In some embodiments, the pathogen is of the species Pythium ultimum.

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant of the first aspect of the invention includes a microorganism of the genus Paenibaciilus that is able to at least control a fungal root disease caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium. In some embodiments, the microorganism of the genus Paenibaciilus is able to at least control a pathogen of the genus Pythium in or on a wheat or canola plant.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Paenibaciilus includes a microorganism having a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 4.

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Paenibacillus sp. 9.4E as deposited on 9 March 2017 with the National Measurement Institute under NMI accession number V17/004921 ; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant. In some embodiments, the mutant or derivative retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant, where the root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium.

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant of the first aspect of the invention includes a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces that is able to at least control a fungal root disease caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium on a wheat or canola plant. In some embodiments, the microorganism of the genus Streptomyces is able to at least control a pathogen of the genus Pythium on a wheat or canola plant.

In some embodiments bacterial inoculant of the genus Streptomyces includes a microorganism having a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 6. In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 6.

In some embodiments, bacterial inoculants and methods disclosed herein include a microorganism having a gene, e.g., a 1 6S rRNA gene, having a nucleotide sequence at least 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the same gene nucleotide sequence found in one of the genomic sequences found in Table 1 . In some embodiments the microorganism comprises a gene having a nucleotide sequence of at least 97%, at least 97.1 %, at least 97.2% at least 97.3%, at least 97.4%, at least 97.5%, at least 97.6%, at least 97.7%, at least 97.8%, at least 97.9%, at least 98%, at least 98.1 %, at least 98.2% at least 98.3%, at least 98.4%, at least 98.5%, at least 98.6%, at least 98.7%, at least 98.8%, at least 98.9%, at least 99%, at least 99.1 %, at least 99.2% at least 99.3%, at least 99.4%, at least 99.5%, at least 99.6%, at least 99.7%, at least 99.8% at least 99.9% or 100% sequence identity to the same gene nucleotide sequence found in one of the genomic sequences found in Table 1 .

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Streptomyces sp. BD141 as deposited on 9 March 2017 with the National Measurement Institute under NMI accession number V17/004923; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant. In some embodiments, the mutant or derivative retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant, where the root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an inoculant composition comprising one or more bacterial inoculants as hereinbefore described.

In some embodiments, the inoculant composition further comprises a carrier or additive. The carrier or additives used will depend on the nature of the inoculant composition. For example, the inoculant composition may be in the form of a liquid composition, a solid composition (such as a powder, pellet or granular composition) a seed dressing or the like. In some embodiments, the inoculant composition comprises a seed dressing.

A range of useful carriers or additives would be readily apparent to those of skill in the art and may include, for example: one or more gums (including xanthan gum), clay or peat based carriers, one or more nutrients including carbon or nitrogen sources, one or more antifungal or antibacterial agents, one or more seed coating agents, one or more wetting agents and the like.

The inoculant compositions of the present invention may be adapted to be applied to a plant, for example a wheat or canola plant, in any suitable way. For example, the inoculant composition could be adapted to be applied as a seed coating, applied as a solid or liquid composition to the foliage or roots of a plant, or applied as a solid or liquid composition to soil before, during or after sowing of a plant, for example a wheat or canola plant.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling a fungal root disease on a plant, the method comprising inoculating a plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition as hereinbefore described.

In some embodiments, the plant is a wheat plant or a canola plant.

In some embodiments, the root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus

Rhizoctonia.

In some embodiments, the root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium.

In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition are inoculated onto a seed. In some embodiments, the bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition are inoculated onto a wheat seed or canola seed.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for improving growth of a plant under water limited conditions, the method comprising inoculating a plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition as hereinbefore described.

In some embodiments, the method provides for improving growth of a monocot or dicot plant under water limited conditions. In some embodiments, the monocot is a cereal plant. In some embodiments the cereal plant is member of the plant family Poaceae or Gramineae, for example: wheat, rice, corn, barley, millet, sorghum, oat, rye, or related grain producing plant. In some embodiments, the dicot is a member of the plant family Fabaceae or Leguminosae, for example: soybeans, peas, beans, lentils, peanuts, alfalfa, clover, or related plants. In some

embodiments, the dicot is a member of the plant family Brassicaceae or Cruciferae, for example: canola, rapeseed, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, radish, mustard, turnip, or related plants.

Water limited conditions, include but are not limited to, drought conditions and dryland (non-irrigated) environments. In some embodiments, water limited conditions are growth conditions where the amount of water available to the plants is less than the amount necessary to support optimal plant growth. In some embodiments, the water limited condition comprises less than 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, less than 100% of the amount necessary to support optimal plant growth. In some embodiments, the amount of water necessary to support optimal plant growth is measured in average or above average yield. In some embodiments, the water limited conditions are the amount of water that result in a reduction in average yield of un-inoculated plants by at least 5%, at least 10%, between 5-15%, about 15%, at least 20%, about 20%, between 20-25%, or at least 25%. In some embodiments, the water limited conditions are a non-irrigated field. In some embodiments, the water limited condition comprises a 1 %, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% reduction in rainfall relative to the 1 year, 2, 3, 4, 5 year, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 year historical average rainfall for the geography. In some embodiments, the water limited conditions are controlled by human endeavor in greenhouse or laboratory assays. A non-limiting example of a laboratory assay conducted in water limited conditions is growth of a plant in an aqueous solution comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG), for example 7.5% PEG 6000.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a bacterial inoculant as described herein with respect to any of the examples.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides an inoculant composition as described herein with respect to any of the examples.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling a fungal root disease on a wheat or canola plant as described herein with respect to any of the examples. In an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a method for a method for improving growth of a wheat or canola plant under water limited as described herein with respect to any of the examples.

The present invention is further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples:

EXAMPLE 1 - BACTERIAL INOCULANTS FOR CONTROL OF

FUNGAL ROOT DISEASE IN WHEAT OR CANOLA

A number of microbial strains were screened in a series of in planta bioassays, characterised and assessed in field trials using naturally occurring pathogen inoculum. Four strains were identified as being of interest, as shown in Table 1 .

Table 1 - Strains identified as beneficial inoculants in grain

cropping systems

EXAMPLE 2 - IDENTIFICATION

DNA of each strain was extracted. Two sections of 1 6S rRNA were amplified by PCR using primers 27f (agagtttgat cctggctcag, SEQ ID NO: 1 ) and 1492r (tacggytacc ttgttacgac tt, SEQ ID NO: 2). PCR products were sequenced by Sanger sequencing, two replicate extractions and forward and reverse directions of PCR fragments were sequenced. Sequences were identified using Ezbiocloud

(www.ezbiocloud.net). Sequences were aligned with 20 closest matches using ClustalW in Mega7 and phylogeny inferred using Maximum Likelihood Tree and Nearest Neighbour Joining Trees. Results are shown in Tables 2 and 3.

Table 2 - Identification of 10.6D, 9.4E, HCA1273, BD141

Table 3 - 16S rRNA sequences of 10.6D, 94.E, HCA1273, BD141, 5' to 3' orientation

Strain 16S rRNA sequence

10.6D GGATGGGCCTGCGGCGCATTAGCTAGTTGGTGGGGTAAAGGCCTACCAAGGCGA

CGATGCGTAGCCGACCTGAGAGGGTGATCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGC CCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAGGGAATCTTCCGCAATGGGCGAAAGCCT GACGGAGCAACGCCGCGTGAGTGATGAAGGTTTTCGGATCGTAAAGCTCTGTTGC CAGGGAAGAACGTCTTGTAGAGTAACTGCTACAAGAGTGACGGTACCTGAGAAG AAAGCCCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGGGCAAGCG TTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGCGCGCGCAGGCGGCTCTTTAAGTCTGGTGT TTAATCCCGAGGCTCAACTTCGGGTCGCACTGGAAACTGGGGAGCTTGAGTGCAG AAGAGGAGAGTGGAATTCCACGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGTAGAGATGTGGAGG AACACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGACTCTCTGGGCTGTAACTGACGCTGAGGCGCGAAA GCGTGGGGAGCAAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGATGA ATGCTAGGTGTTAGGGGTTTCGATACCCTTGGTGCCGAAGTTAACACATTAAGCAT TCCG CCTG GGGAGTACG GTCG C A AG ACTG A A ACTCA A AG G A ATTG ACGGGGACC CGCACAAGCAGTGGAGTATGTGGTTTAATTCGAAGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCA GGTCTTGACATCCCTCTGACCGGTCTAGAGATAGACCTTTCCTTCGGGACAGAGG AG AC AGGTG GTGCATG GTTGTCGTCAG CTCGTGTCGTG AG ATGTTG GGTTAAGTC CCG C A ACG AG CG CA ACCCTTATG CTT AGTTG CCAG C AG GTC A AG CTG G G C ACTCT AAGCAGACTGCCGGTGACAAACCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGATGACGTCAAATCATCA TG CCCCTTATG ACCTG G G CTAC AC ACGTACTAC A ATG G CCG GTAC A ACG G G A AG C GAAATCGCGAGGTGGAGCCAATCCTAGAAAAGCCGGTCTCAGTTCGGATTGTAG Strain 16S rRNA sequence

GCTGCAACTCGCCTACATGAAGTCGGAATTGCTAGTAATCGCGGATCAGCATGCC GCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGTCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCACACCACGAGAGTTT ACAACACCCGAAGTCGGTGG

(SEQ ID NO: 3)

9.4E GGATGGGCCTGCGGCGCATTAGCTAGTTGGTGGGGTAAAGGCCTACCAAGGCGA

CGATGCGTAGCCGACCTGAGAGGGTGATCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGC CCAGACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTAGGGAATCTTCCGCAATGGGCGAAAGCCT GACGGAGCAACGCCGCGTGAGTGATGAAGGTTTTCGGATCGTAAAGCTCTGTTGC CAGGGAAGAACGTCTTGTAGAGTAACTGCTACAAGAGTGACGGTACCTGAGAAG AAAGCCCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGGGCAAGCG TTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGCGCGCGCAGGCGGCTCTTTAAGTCTGGTGT TTAATCCCGAGGCTCAACTTCGGGTCGCACTGGAAACTGGGGAGCTTGAGTGCAG AAGAGGAGAGTGGAATTCCACGTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGTAGAGATGTGGAGG AACACCAGTGGCGAAGGCGACTCTCTGGGCTGTAACTGACGCTGAGGCGCGAAA GCGTGGGGAGCAAACAGGATTAGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGATGA ATGCTAGGTGTTAGGGGTTTCGATACCCTTGGTGCCGAAGTTAACACATTAAGCAT TCCG CCTG GGGAGTACG GTCG C A AG ACTG A A ACTCA A AG G A ATTG ACGGGGACC CGCACAAGCAGTGGAGTATGTGGTTTAATTCGAAGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCA GGTCTTGACATCCCTCTGACCGGTCTAGAGATAGACCTTTCCTTCGGGACAGAGG AG AC AGGTG GTGCATG GTTGTCGTCAG CTCGTGTCGTG AG ATGTTG GGTTAAGTC CCG C A ACG AG CG CA ACCCTTATG CTT AGTTG CCAG C AG GTC A AG CTG G G C ACTCT AAGCAGACTGCCGGTGACAAACCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGATGACGTCAAATCATCA TG CCCCTTATG ACCTG G G CTAC AC ACGTACTAC A ATG GCCG GT AC A ACG G G A AG C GAAATCGCGAGGTGGAGCCAATCCTAGAAAAGCCGGTCTCAGTTCGGATTGTAG GCTGCAACTCGCCTACATGAAGTCGGAATTGCTAGTAATCGCGGATCAGCATGCC GCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGTCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCACACCACGAGAGTTT ACAACACCCGAAGTCGGTGG

(SEQ ID NO: 4)

HCA1273 GATGAAGCCCTTCGGGGTGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGGTGAGTAACACGTGGGCAA

TCTG CCCTGC ACTCTGG G AC AAG CCCTGG AAACGG G GTCTAATACCG G AT ATG AG Strain 16S rRNA sequence

TCTCCACCG CATGGTG GG G GCTGTAAAGCTCCG G CG GTGCAGG ATG AGCCCG CG

GCCTATCAGCTTGTTGGTGAGGTAACGGCTCACCAAGGCGACGACGGGTAGCCG

GCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAGACTCCTACG

GGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTGCACAATGGGCGCAAGCCTGATGCAGCGACGC

CGCGTGAGGGATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCTCTTTCAGCAGGGAAGAAGC

GAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCAGCAGCCGC

GGTAATACGTAGGGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAAGAGCTCGT

AGGCGGCTTGTCGCGTCGGTTGTGAAAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCCCGGGTCTGCAGT

CGATACGGGCAGGCTAGAGTTCGGTAGGGGAGATCGGAATTCCTGGTGTAGCGG

TGAAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCGGTGGCGAAGGCGGATCTCTGGGCC

GATACTGACGCTGAGGAGCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATTAGATACCCTG

GTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGGTGGGCACTAGGTGTGGGCGACATTCCACGTCGTCC

GTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGTGCCCCGCCTGGGGAGTACGGCCGCAAGGCTA

A A ACTC A A AG GAATTGACG G G GG CCCG C AC A AG CGGCGGAGCATGTGG CTTAAT

TCGACGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGGCTTGACATACACCGGAAAACCCTGGA

G AC AGG GTCCCCCTTGTG GTCGGTGTAC AG GTGGTG C ATGG CTGTCGTC AGCTCG

TGTCGTGAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTTGTCCCGTGTTG

CCAGCAGGCCCTTGTGGTGCTGGGGACTCACGGGAGACCGCCGGGGTCAACTCG

GAGGAAGGTGGGGACG ACGTC A AGTC ATC ATG CCCCTTATGTCTTG G G CTG C AC A

CGTGCTACAATGGCCGGTACAATGAGCTGCGATACCGTGAGGTGGAGCGAATCTC

AAAAAGCCGGTCTCAGTTCGGATTGGGGTCTGCAACTCGACCCCATGAAGTCGGA

GTCGCTAGTAATCGCAGATCAGCATTGCTGCGGTGAATACGTTCCCGGGCCTTGT

ACACACCGCCCGTCACGTCACGAAAGTCGGTAACACCCGAAGCCGGTGGCCCAAC

CCC

(SEQ ID NO: 5)

BD141 AGTCGAACGATGAAGCCTTTCGGGGTGGATTAGTGGCGAACGGGTGAGTAACAC

GTG G GC A ATCTG CCCTTC ACTCTG G G AC A AG CCCTG G A A ACG GG GTCTA ATACCG GATAACACTCTGTCCCGCATGGGACGGGGTTAAAAGCTCCGGCGGTGAAGGATG AGCCCGCGGCCTATCAGCTTGTTGGTGGGGTAATGGCCTACCAAGGCGACGACG GGTAGCCGGCCTGAGAGGGCGACCGGCCACACTGGGACTGAGACACGGCCCAG ACTCCTACGGGAGGCAGCAGTGGGGAATATTGCACAATGGGCGAAAGCCTGATG Strain 16S rRNA sequence

CAGCGACGCCGCGTGAGGGATGACGGCCTTCGGGTTGTAAACCTCTTTCAGCAGG

GAAGAAGCGAAAGTGACGGTACCTGCAGAAGAAGCGCCGGCTAACTACGTGCCA

GCAGCCGCGGTAATACGTAGGGCGCAAGCGTTGTCCGGAATTATTGGGCGTAAA

GAGCTCGTAGGCGGCTTGTCACGTCGGATGTGAAAGCCCGGGGCTTAACCCCGG

GTCTG C ATTCG ATACG G G CTAG CTAG AGTGTGGTAGGGGAGATCG G A ATTCCTG

GTGTAGCGGTGAAATGCGCAGATATCAGGAGGAACACCGGTGGCGAAGGCGGA

TCTCTGGGCCATTACTGACGCTGAGGAGCGAAAGCGTGGGGAGCGAACAGGATT

AGATACCCTGGTAGTCCACGCCGTAAACGTTGGGAACTAGGTGTTGGCGACATTC

CACGTCGTCGGTGCCGCAGCTAACGCATTAAGTTCCCCGCCTGGGGAGTACGGCC

GCAAGGCTAAAACTCAAAGGAATTGACGGGGGCCCGCACAAGCAGCGGAGCATG

TGGCTTAATTCGACGCAACGCGAAGAACCTTACCAAGGCTTGACATATACCGGAA

AGCATCAGAGATGGTGCCCCCCTTGTGGTCGGTATACAGGTGGTGCATGGCTGTC

GTCAGCTCGTGTCGTGAGATGTTGGGTTAAGTCCCGCAACGAGCGCAACCCTTGT

TCTGTGTTGCCAGCATGCCCTTCGGGGTGATGGGGACTCACAGGAGACTGCCGGG

GTCAACTCGGAGGAAGGTGGGGACGACGTCAAGTCATCATGCCCCTTATGTCTTG

GGCTGCACACGTGCTACAATGGCCGGTACAATGAGCTGCGATGCCGCGAGGCGG

AGCGAATCTCAAAAAGCCGGTCTCAGTTCGGATTGGGGTCTGCAACTCGACCCCA

TG A AGTCG G AGTTG CTAGTA ATCG C AG ATC AG C ATTG CTG CG GTG A ATACGTTCC

CGGGCCTTGTACACACCGCCCGTCACGTCACGAAAGTCGGTAACACCCGAAGCCG

GTGGCCCAACCCCTTGTGGGAGGGAG

(SEQ ID NO: 6)

Additional gene sequences for strain 9.4E are depicted in Table 22, below.

Table 22— additional gene sequences, strain 9.4E

Gene Strain 9.4E Sequence atpD AT ACG G G AG CTTG ATG CG AGTGG ATC A ACCG CCG G GT A A ATACCC ATTTCG G A AA TTTTACGTTCCAGATTCGTTGTAGCATCCAAATGGGCAAACGTCGTAGCAGGAGCC GGGTCAGTGTAGTCATCCGCAGGCACATAGATCGCCTGAATGGAAGTAACAGAAC CTTTTTTAGTAGAAGTAATCCGTTCTTGCAATTGACCCATCTCAGTAGCCAGCGTA G G CTG GT A ACCTACTG CTG A AG G C AT ACGTCCC A AC AG AG CCG A A ACCTC AG A AC CCGCTTGAGTAAAGCGGAAAATGTTATCAATAAAGAGCAACACGTCACGGCCTTC TTGGTCACGGAAGTATTCCGCCATCGTCAGACCTGTGAGAGCTACACGCAAACGT GCACCTGGAGGCTCGTTCATTTGTCCAAACACCATCGCTGTTTTGTTGATAACGCC GGAATCTCTCATTTCATGATACAAGTCATTTCCTTCACGTGTGCGTTCACCTACACC CGCAAATACAGAAATACCACCATGCTCCTGAGCGATATTGTTAATCAATTCTTGAA TGGTTACGGTTTTACCTACACCAGCACCACCAAACAATCCGACTTTACCACCTTTGG CATAAGGAGCTAGCAAGTCGATAACTTTAATACCTGTTTCGAGCATCTC

(SEQ ID NO: 7)

recA CCCTGACCAAGGCGCTCACCTTCGTAGGAATACCAGGCTCCGCTCTTGTCGACAAT

GTCATGCTCCGTACCGATATCGATCAAGCTACCTTCTTTGGAAATACCCTCACCGTA CATAATATCCACCTCAGCCTGACGGAAAGGAGGGGCAACTTTGTTCTTCACGACTT TAATACGTGTGCGGTTACCCACAATGTCGTTACCCATTTTCAAACTTTCAATACGAC GAACATCCAAACGTACCGTAGAGTAAAACTTCAAGGCACGTCCACCTGGTGTTGT TTCAGGGTTACCGAACATAACACCTACTTTTTCACGTAGCTGGTTAATAAAAATAG C A ATG GTTTTCG ACTTGTTA ATG G CTCC AG A A AG CTTACG C A ATG CCTG G G AC ATC AAACGTGCTTGAAGACCAACGTGGGAATCTCCCATTTCGCCTTCAATCTCTGCCTT GGGCACAAGTGCCG CT ACG G AGTC A AC A ACT AC A ATGTCTACTG CTCC ACTACGT ACAAGGGCTTCGGCAATCTCAAGCGCCTGCTCTCCTGTATCTGGTTGCGATAGTAA C A ACTC ATC A AT ATTG ACACCC AG CTTG CTTG CAT ACG ACG G ATC A AG CG C ATG CT CGGCGTCGATAAAGGCGGCTTGTCCGCCTGTTTTTTGCACCTCTGCGATAGCGTGA AGAGCTACTGTCGTTTTACCGGATGATTCCGGTCCGTATATTTCAATAACCCGGCC

(SEQ ID NO: 8) trpB GTCATTGCTGAAACAGGCGCAGGACAGCATGGTGTCGCGACAGCGACTGTGGCT GCGTTGCTCGGATTGGAATGCAAGGTGTTTATGGGCGAAGAGGATACTGTGCGC CAGCAGCTGAACGTCTTTCGGATGCAGCTTTTGGGTGCAGAGGTCATTCCGGTGA CATCAGGTACACGTACACTTAAGGATGCCGGGAATGAAGCTTTGCGTTACTGGGT CAGCCATGTCCATGATACGTTCTATATTTTGGGTTCAGCTGTCGGCCCGCACCCGT ATCCGATGATGGTGCGGGACTTCCAACGTGTGATTGGTGATGAAACACGTCGCCA GATCCTAGAGAAGGAAGGCAGACTTCCGGATGTCATCGTGGCAGCGATCGGTGG CGGAAGCAATGCCATCGGCATGTTTTATCCTTTTATTGAGGATCAGGGTGTCGCAT TGATTGGCGTGGAGGCCGCTGGAAAAGGTGTCGAAACGGAATTCCATGCAGCTA CGATGACCAAGGGAACACAAGGGGTCTTCCAAGGCTCTATGAGTTATCTGCTTCA G G ATG AGTATG G AC A AGTG C A ACCTG CG C ATTCC ATCTCG G CTG G ATTAG ATT AT CCAGGTGTTGGACCGGAGCATTCATACCTGAAAGA

(SEQ ID NO: 9)

gyrB AGCTTTGTCTTGGTCTGACCCTCAAACTGTGGTTCTGGAATTTTGACGGAGATAAT CGCCGTCAATCCTTCACGCACATCGTCACCGGTCAAGTTGGCGTTGTTGTCCTTAA TCAAGCCATTTTTACGTGCATAATCGTTAATAATCCGGGTTAATGCACTCTTGAAAC CTGATTCGTGAGTTCCGCCCTCATGGGTGTTGATGTTGTTGGCAAAAGAATAAATA TTCTCG GTATAG CTGTCGTT ATATTG C A ATG CC ACTTCG ACTTG A ATC ATATC ACGC GAGCCTTCGACATAAATCGGCTGTTCATGCAGCGCTTCTC I I I I I I GATTCAAAAAT TGCACATATTCACTGATTCCGCCCTCGTAGTGAAATGTATCGCTGGCGCCCGTCCG TTCATCAGTCAAGCTGATTGCAATACCTTTGTTCAGGAAAGCCAACTCACGAATCC GTGTCTGGAGCGTATCATAGTCATATACGGTCGTTTCTGTAAAGATTTGATCGTCA GGATAAAAAGTCGTTTGGGTACCCGTCTCGTCTGTGTCACCGATGACTCTGACATC ATACTGCGGAGCACCACGATGATATTCCTGCTCATACAGATGTCCGTCCCGTTTAA CATGCACGATCATTTTGCTGGAGAGGGCATTTACTACGGATACACCAACCCCGTGC AGACCACCGGATACCTTGTACCCTCCGCCTCCAAATTTACCACCTGCGTGAAGCAC G GTC ATA ACG ACTTCC AG CG C AG ATTTTTTC ATTTTG G CGTGTTC ACTTACTG G A AT ACCGCGACCGTTATCTGTAACGGTAATGCTATTGTCTTCGTGAACGACAACTTGAA TGCTGTCACAGTAACCCGCCAGCGCTTCGTCAATGCTGTTGTCCACAACTTCCCAG ACCAAATGATGGAGACCTTTGGCGCTCGTGGAGCCAATATACATCCCGGGACGTT TCCG AACCGCTTCCAG GCCCTC AAG G ACCTG AATCTCG CCCG CATC ATAAG ACG GT TGATTCATAGACATGCCTTTCACCTACTTCTATAGATTCTATGGTTAAGCATTGGCA ACAAACTGGTTTGCCCGCTTTTTGAGTGTTGTTGAGGAGATGGGGGAATAATACA CCGTATTCTGAGTCACTACGATGGACTTGGCTTCCTCTTCGCCAATCATCTCGACAT GCTTCTGCTGTTGGGCGTGGTTCACGTATTGCTTGGAGATTTTAGAGGATTTTTCA ATCGAGATATCGAAAATAGCCACAAGCTCTGAAGAGCGGATGATTTTTTCTCCACC CAGATGAAT

(SEQ ID NO: 10)

Additional gene sequences for strain 10.6D are depicted in Table 23, below.

Table 23- additional gene sequences, strain 0.6D

Gene Strain 10.6D sequence recA GCATTCTCCCGTCCCTGACCAAGGCGCTCACCTTCGTAGGAATACCAGGCTCCGCT CTTGTCGACAATGTCATGCTCCGTACCGATATCGATCAAGCTACCTTCTTTGGAAAT ACCCTCACCGTACATAATATCCACCTCAGCCTGACGGAAAGGAGGGGCAACTTTG TTCTTCACGACTTTAATACGTGTGCGGTTACCCACAATGTCGTTACCCATTTTCAAA CTTTCAATACGACGAACATCCAAACGTACCGTAGAGTAAAACTTCAAGGCACGTCC ACCTG GTGTTGTTTC AG G GTT ACCG A AC ATA AC ACCTACTTTTTC ACGT AG CTG GTT AATAAAAATAGCAATGGTTTTCGACTTATTAATGGCTCCAGAAAGCTTACGCAATG CCTGAGACATCAAACGTGCTTGAAGACCAACGTGGGAATCTCCCATTTCGCCTTCA ATCTCTGCCTTGGGCACAAGTGCCGCTACGGAGTCAACAACTACAATGTCTACTGC TCCACTACGTACAAGGGCTTCGGCAATCTCAAGCGCCTGCTCTCCTGTATCTGGTT GCGATAGTAACAACTCATCAATATTGACACCCAGCTTGCTTGCATACGACGGATCA AG CG C ATGCTCG G CGTCG ATA A AG G CG G CTTGTCCG CCTGTTTTTTG C ACCTCTG C GATAGCGTGAAGAGCTACTGTCGTTTTACCGGATGATTCCGGTCCGTATATTTCAA TAACCCGGCC

(SEQ ID NO: 11)

atpD AT ACG G G AG CTTG ATG CG AGTGG ATC A ACCG CCG G GT A A ATACCC ATTTCG G A AA

TTTTACGTTCCAGATTCGTTGTAGCATCCAAATGGGCAAACGTCGTAGCAGGAGCC GGGTCAGTGTAGTCATCCGCAGGCACATAGATCGCCTGAATGGAAGTAACAGAAC CTTTTTTAGTAGAAGTAATCCGTTCTTGCAATTGACCCATCTCAGTAGCCAGCGTA G G CTG GT A ACCTACTG CTG A AG G C AT ACGTCCC A AC AG G G CTG A A ACCTC AG A AC CCGCTTGAGTAAAGCGGAAAATGTTATCAATAAAGAGCAACACGTCACGGCCTTC TTGGTCACGGAAGTATTCCGCCATCGTCAGACCTGTGAGAGCTACACGCAAACGT GCACCCGGAGGCTCGTTCATTTGTCCGAACACCATCGCTGTTTTGTTGATAACGCC GGAATCTCTCATTTCATGATACAAGTCATTTCCTTCACGTGTGCGTTCACCTACACC CG C A A ATAC AG A A AT ACC ACC ATG CTCCTG AG CG AT ATTGTTA ATC A ATTCTTG AA TGGTTACGGTTTTACCTACACCAGCACCACCAAACAATCCGACTTTACCACCTTTGG CATAAGGAGCTAGCAAGTCGATAACTTTAATACCTGTTTCGAGCATCTCTGCTTGA GTTGTCAGCTCATCGAAAGAAGGAGCTTGACGGTGAATCGG

(SEQ ID NO: 12) trpB GTC ATTG CTG A AAC AG GCGCAGGACAG C ATG GTGTCG CG ACAG CG ACTGTG G CT GCGTTGCTCGGATTGGAATGCAAGGTGTTTATGGGCGAAGAGGATACTGTGCGC CAGCAGCTGAACGTCTTTCGGATGCAGCTTTTGGGTGCAGAGGTCATTCCGGTGA CATCAGGTACACGTACACTTAAGGATGCAGGGAATGAAGCTTTGCGTTACTGGGT CAGCCATGTCCATGATACGTTCTATATTTTGGGTTCAGCTGTCGGCCCACATCCGT ATCCGATGATGGTGCGGGACTTCCAACGCGTGATTGGTGATGAAACACGTCGCCA GATCCTAGAGAAGGAAGGCAGACTTCCGGATGTCATCGTGGCAGCGATCGGTGG CGGAAGCAATGCCATCGGAATGTTTTATCCTTTTATTGAGGATCAGGGTGTCGCAT TGATTGGCGTGGAGGCCGCTGGAAAAGGTGTCGAAACGGAATTCCATGCAGCTA CGATGACCAAGGGAACACAAGGGGTCTTCCAAGGCTCTATGAGTTATCTGCTTCA GGATGAGTACGGACAAGTGCAACCTGCGCATTCCATCTCGGCTGGATTAGATTAT CCAGGTGTTGGACCGGAGCATTCATACCTGAAAGA

(SEQ ID NO: 13)

GyrB AAGTTGGCGTTGTTGTCCTTAATCAAGCCATTTTTACGTGCATAATCGTTAATAATC CGGGTTAATGCACTCTTGAAACCTGATTCGTGAGTTCCGCCCTCATGGGTGTTGAT GTTGTTG G C AAA AG A ATAA ATATTCTCG GTATAGCTGTCGTT ATATTG C A ATG CCA CTTCGACTTGAATCATATCACGCGAGCCTTCGACATAAATCGGCTGTTCATGCAGC GCTTCTCTTTTTTGATTCAAAAATTGCACATATTCACTGATTCCGCCCTCGTAGTGA AATGTATCGCTGGCGCCCGTCCGTTCATCAGTCAAGCTGATTGCAATACCTTTGTT CAGGAAAGCCAACTCACGAATCCGTGTCTGGAGCGTATCATAGTCATATACGGTC GTTTCTGTAAAGATTTGATCGTCAGGATAAAAAGTCGTTTGGGTACCCGTCTCGTC TGTGTCACCGATGACTCTGACATCATACTGCGGAGCACCACGATGATATTCCTGCT CATACAGATGTCCGTCCCGTTTAACATGCACGATCATTTTGCTGGAGAGGGCATTT ACTACGGATACACCAACCCCGTGCAGACCACCGGATACCTTGTACCCTCCGCCTCC AAATTTACCACCTGCGTGAAGCACGGTCATAACGACTTCCAGCGCAGATTTTTTCA TTTTGGCGTGTTCACTTACTGGAATACCGCGACCGTTATCTGTAACGGTAATGCTA TTGTCTTCGTGAACGACAACTTGAATGCTGTCACAGTAACCCGCCAGCGCTTCGTC AATGCTGTTGTCCACAACTTCCCAGACCAAATGATGGAGACCTTTGGCGCTCGTGG AGCCAATATACATCCCGGGACGTTTCCGAACCGCTTCCAGGCCCTCAAGGACCTG AATCTCGCCCGCATCATAAGACGGTTGATTCATAGACATGCCTTTCACCTACTTCTA TAG ATTCTATG GTTAAGCATTG GC AACAAACTG GTTTG CCCG CTTTTTG AGTGTTG TTGAGGAGATGGGGGAATAATACACCGTATTCTGAGTCACTACGATGGACTTGGC TTCCTCTTCG CC A ATC ATCTCG AC ATG CTTCTG CTGTTG G G CGTG GTTC ACGTATTG CTTGG AG ATTTTAG AG G ATTTTTC A ATCG AG AT ATCG A AAAT AG CC AC A AG CTCTG AAGAGCGGATGATTTTTTCTCCACCCAGATG

(SEQ ID NO: 14)

Phylogenetic trees were generated as described above, using 16S, atpD, gyrB, recA, and trpB genes.

FIG. 1 depicts a phylogenetic tree visualizing the phylogenetic relationship between strain 9.4E, strain 1 0.6D, and other Paenibacillus strains.

FIG. 2 depicts a phylogenetic tree visualizing the phylogenetic relationship between strain HCA1 273, and other Streptomyces strains.

FIG. 3 depicts a phylogenetic tree visualizing the phylogenetic relationship between strain BD141 , and other Streptomyces strains.

A comparison of the 16S, atpD, gyrB, recA, and trpB genes between P9 and P1 0 strains confirm that the isolates are distinct isolates but are closely related. For example, while sequences for 16S and gyrB are completely similar, recA sequences have 2 SNPs between P9 and P1 0, trpB sequences have 6 SNPs between P9 and P1 0, and atpD sequences have 4 SNPs between P9 and P10.

EXAMPLE 3 - SCREENING FOR RHIZOCTONIA CONTROL

All bioassays were conducted in a controlled envi9ronment room at 15°C, 12 hr day/night cycle. Wheat cv. Yitpi was used for all assays. For each assay there were three control treatments, (1 ) no-pathogen control (2) pathogen only control and (3) positive control of current best biocontrol strain, either Tnchoderma strain TB or Streptomyces strain EN1 6. Bioassays were conducted in soils collected from fields with continuing Rhizoctonia problems. Soils were from Netherton SA (grey siliceous sand) or Waikerie SA (Red calcareous sand).

Primary tube Rhizoctonia bioassav

This assay consisted of 50 ml tube with 60 g Netherton soil at 8% moisture content with two Rhizoctonia solani infested millet seeds added and incubated 2 weeks at 15²C. Two pregerminated wheat seeds were planted and microbial inoculum added as suspension (150 ul) directly onto the seeds and incubated for 2 wks. Plants were assessed by shoot height and number of roots reaching the bottom of the tube. Two replicates were used per treatment. Results are shown in Table 4.

Table 4 -- Primar Rhizoctonia assa results of 10.6D and HCA1273, n=2.

Secondary Rhizoctonia pot bioassay

To confirm efficacy, strains were assessed in a pot bioassay containing 300 g Waikerie soil at 8% moisture. Six Rhizoctonia solani infested millet seeds were added to the soil and incubated 2 weeks at 15°C. For seed inoculation, microbes were harvested from agar plates, diluted to absorbance of 0.5 at 550nm in 3 ml dilute sticker solution (0.005% Na Alginate, 0.03% xantham gum) and 1 .5 g wheat seed added and soaked for 1 hr. The microbial suspension was drained and 7 seeds planted and later thinned to 5 after germination. Inoculum concentration was determined by dilution plate counts. Plants were grown for 4 wks. Plants were assessed for root disease as Percentage of Roots Infected (%RI) and on a Root Disease Score (RDS) on a 0-5 scale (0=no disease, 5=max disease). The length of seminal and nodal roots were measured and dry weights of roots and shoots obtained after drying at 60°C for 4 days. There were 4 replicates in a randomised complete block design. Data was analysed as ANOVA, RCBD. Results are shown in Tables 5 and 6.

Table 5 - Results of secondary assay for strain 10.6D. Inoculum sus ension 10.6D 2.0 x 10⁶ cfu/ml.

Table 6 - Results of secondary assay for strain HCA1273. Inoculum sus ension 6.0 x 10^s cfu/ml. Treatment

Tertiary Rhizoctonia pot bioassay

A tertiary assay was conducted on selected strains based on results of the secondary assay. The tertiary pot bioassay was conducted the same as for the secondary Rhizoctonia pot assay except that microbes were inoculated at 3 rates to indicate the most appropriate inoculation level. Seed cfu levels were measured on seeds at the highest inoculation rate by extracting cells from 5 seeds in 1 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) after shaking for 30 minutes, serially diluting the suspension and plating onto agar. Seed cfu levels at the lower rates were estimated from the highest rate. Results are shown in Tables 7 and 8.

Table 7 - Results of tertiary assay for strain 10.6D.

Table 8 - Results of tertiary assay for strain HCA1273.

Rhizoctonia field trials: Microplots

All Rhizoctonia field trials were carried out in fields used for commercial cereal production in South Australia with a continuing Rhizoctonia problem, with natural levels of Rhizoctonia solani AG8 DNA >100 pg/g soil (as measured by SARDI Root Disease Testing Service).

Selected strains were first assessed in the field in 1 m long single row microplots in 2012 and 2013. Wheat cv. Grenade seeds were coated with microbes as a concentrated suspension in a sticker solution (0.3% xanthan gum, 0.05% Na alginate). Seeds were hand planted at 4 cm spacing using a seeding template.

Microplot trials were a split plot design, with each treated row paired with an untreated row in a randomised complete block design, 6 replicates. Rhizoctonia root rot is a patchy disease, so a split-plot design with paired treated and untreated rows was used to measure disease in the same disease space. Plants (10) were harvested at 8 wks and assessed for root disease score (0-5 scale) caused by Rhizoctonia on seminal and nodal roots and for dry weights of roots and shoots. Each strain was assessed at 2 sites. In 2013, Chemical seed treatments (Vibrance, Syngenta; EverGol Prime, Bayer) and Streptomyces strain EN16 were included for comparison. Results are shown in Tables 9 and 1 0. Table 9 - Combined results for 2012 microplot trials at Karoonda (SA, Mallee) and Port Julia (SA, Yorke Peninsula) at 8 wks, n=12. Seed inoculation, 10.6D 4.3x10⁵ cfu/seed.

Table 10 - Combined results for 2013 microplot trials at Wynarka (SA, Mallee) and Lamaroo (SA, Ma I lee) at 8 wks, n=12. Seed inoculation, HCA1273 2.4x10⁵ cfu/seed; EN16 2.4x10⁴ cfu/seed.

Rhizoctonia field trials: 20m 3+3 row plots

Strains selected from microplot trials and characterisation were assessed as seed coatings in larger field trials in 201 3 and 2014 with 20m plots, six replicates. Three rows of each plot were treated and three rows untreated in a split-plot randomised complete block design to allow comparison in the same disease space due to the patchy nature of Rhizoctonia root rot. Wheat cv.

Grenade seeds were coated with microbes as a concentrated suspension in a sticker solution (0.3% xanthan gum, 0.05% Na alginate). Seeds were planted with a plot scale seeder and herbicide and fertilisers applied as per local best practice. Plants (21 ) from each split-plot were assessed at 8 wks (2013) or 1 1 wks (2014) and assessed for root disease score (0-5 scale) caused by Rhizoctonia on seminal and nodal roots and for dry weights of roots and shoots. Seeds were harvested at the end of season with a plot scale header. In 2014, Streptomyces strain EN16 and an in-furrow chemical treatment, Uniform (Syngenta) were included as controls. Results are shown in Table 1 1 .

Table 11 - Results for 2013 and 2014 3+3 row 20 m plots field trials at Wynarka (SA, Mallee) and Lameroo (SA, Mallee) in 2013 and at Lameroo (SA, Mallee) in 2014 at 8 wks and yield, n=6. Percent change (% change) = [(Microbe treated/untreated)x100]-100

EXAMPLE 4 - SCREENING FOR PYTHIUM CONTROL ON WHEAT

Primary Pythium tube bioassav

The primary Pythium tube assay was set up as for the Rhizoctonia tube assay with 60g washed sand at 1 1 % moisture with 3g/L Miracle Gro soluble fertiliser. Pythium irregulare strain 89 was added as one 1 1 mm agar plug, with no pre~incubation prior to seeding with two pre~germinated wheat cv. Yitpi seeds. For seed inoculation, microbes were harvested from agar plates, diluted to absorbance of 0.8 at 550nm in a dilute sticker solution (0.005% Na alginate, 0.03% xanthan gum) and 150 ul added directly to seeds. Plants were assessed by shoot height and number of roots reaching the bottom of the tube. Two replicates per treatment. Results are shown in Table 12.

Table 12■■ Primary Pythium assay results of 9.4E, and BD141 , n=2

Secondary Pythium pot bioassav

Washed sand (200 g/pot) at 1 1 % moisture with 1 .5g/L Miracle Grow fertiliser was used. Pathogen was added as 3x8mm agar plugs of Pythium irregulare strain 89. Wheat cv. Yitpi seeds (2.2) were inoculated with a microbial suspension diluted to absorbance of 0.8 at 550nm in 3 ml dilute sticker solution (0.005% Na Alginate, 0.03% xanthan gum) and soaked for 1 hr prior to planting. Microbial suspension was drained and 7 seeds sown and thinned to 5 after 14 days. Plants were grown for 4 weeks and assessed for root disease on a 0-5 scale and for dry weight of shoots and roots. Results are shown in Tables 13 and 14.

Table 13 -- Results of secondary assay for strain 9.4E.

Table 14 -- Results of secondar assa for strain BD141.

Tertiary Pythium tub bioassav

An emergence assay in 1 00 ml tubs with 140 g Waikerie sand at 13% moisture was used to assess pre and post emergence damping off control. Twenty wheat cv. Yitpi seeds were planted, and covered with 1 g Pythium irregulare strain 89 sand-polenta inoculum. Plants were grown for 14d at 15°C, 12 hr day/night cycle, 4 replicates in randomised complete block design. EN27 was included as a positive control. The number of plants emerged was counted at 7, 1 1 , and 14 days after planting. A chemical control (Dividend, difanconazole and metalaxyl) for Pythium was included in the assay with 9.4E assay. Results are shown in Tables 15 and 1 6. Table 15 -- Results of secondary assay for strain 9.4E.

Table 16 - Results of secondary assay for strain BD141.

Pythium field trials

All Pythium field trials were carried out in fields used for commercial cereal production in South Australia with a continuing Pythium problem, with natural levels of Pythium group F DNA >100 pg/g soil (as measured by SARDI Root Disease Testing Service).

Seed coated microbes were assessed at two Pythium infested sited in 2015 and 2016 (Table 17). Plant establishment was increased in both years with microbial inoculation compared to controls, but this was only significantly different at the Conmurra sites. Significant yield responses of 4.6 to 6.3 % increase were evident in

2015 at Turretfield with non-significant increases at Conmurra. Yield responses in

2016 were probably masked by nearly double the rainfall compared to 201 5.

Significant reductions in root disease were evident at Turretfield in 2015 and Conmurra in 2016.

Table 17. Results from control of Pythium root rot on wheat field trials. Data is the mean plants/m at 3-4 wks, shoot dry weight (DW) mg per plant and seminal root disease score (DS, 0-5) at eight weeks and final grain yield, six replicates. Control treatment contains no fungicide or microbial inoculation. Microbes were applied as seed coatings. % increase in yield is relative to untreated Control.

^*Treatment significantly different from untreated control at P=0.05 by Fisher's LSD

EXAMPLE 5 - MICROBIAL INOCULUM SURVIVAL ON WHEAT SEEDS

Microbial survival on seeds was assessed on 20 g seed lots (wheat cv. Yitpi) after inoculation and at 1 , 2 and 7 days. Concentrated microbial suspensions were made in a sticker solution (0.3% xanthan gum, 0.05% Na alginate) at various

concentrations depending on results of tertiary assays and 626 ul added to each 20 g seed lot and mixed until even coverage of seeds. To assess seed colony forming units (cfu), 5 seeds were placed in 1 .5 ml tubes, 1 ml phosphate buffered saline added, vortexed 15 sec and shaken for 15 min on orbital shaker at maximum speed. The suspension was sampled, serially diluted, plated onto agar media and cfu/seed calculated. There were two replicates for strains 10.6D and HCA1273, three replicates for 9.4E and BD141 at each time point. Percent survival was calculated based on initial population at t=0. Results are shown in Table 18.

Table 18^■■ Log10 cfu/seed and percent survival on seeds at t=0, 1 , 2, and 7 days after inoculation. Values mean of two (10.6D, HCA1273) or three (9.4E, BD141 ) replicates.

EXAMPLE 6 - IN VITRO INHIBITION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS

Strains identified for Rhizoctonia control were assessed for in vitro inhibition of four fungal pathogens, R. solani AG8 strain W1 9, Pythium irregulare strain 89 isolated from lucerne roots, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt) strain C3 isolated from wheat roots and Fusarium pseudograminearum strain B4a isolated from wheat crowns. Fungi were grown on PDA/4 for between 2 and 7 d depending on strain prior to use. Test fungal pathogens were added to the centre of 9 cm agar plates as 8 mm agar and test strains added as 2x 20 μΙ spots (10⁷ cfu/ml) on opposite sides of the plate 30 mm from the centre. Inhibition zones were recorded at 2d for P. irregulare, 4 d for R. solani and 7 d for Ggt and F. pseudograminearum. There were three replicate plates for each pathogen-test strain combination in a randomised complete block design. Results are shown in Table 19.

Table 19■■ In vitro inhibition of root pathogens Rhizoctonia solani AG8, Fusarium pseudograminearum, Pythium irregulare and Gaeumannomyces graminis tritici (Ggt) by strains isolated for Rhizoctonia control. Response of fungal pathogen to test strains are given as: - no sign of inhibition ; + hyphal avoidance but no clear zone of inhibition; ++ inhibition zone 1-2 mm; +++ inhibition zone >3mm.

EXAMPLE 7 -- SEED DRESSING COMPATIBILITY

Compatibility of strains with a subset of common seed dressings was assessed by adding the seed dressings at 8 times the recommended application rate per seed to a 5 mm antibiotic disk and applying the disk to a lawn of bacteria (10⁵ cfu/plate) on an agar plate. Zones of inhibition were measured after 3 days. Results are shown in Table 20. Where a zone of inhibition of greater than 4 mm was observed, this was indicative of an inhibitory effect on the growth of the inoculant.

Table 20^■ Inhibition of strains identified for Rhizoctonia control by common seed dressings. Data shows size of inhibition zones in mm surrounding the seed dressing soaked disk in the bacterial lawn, n=3.

EXAMPLE 8 - ENHANCED CANOLA GERMINATION AND GROWTH UNDER WATER LIMITED CONDITIONS.

Seed coated microbes were assessed in field trials in a low rainfall zones in Parilla (Murray Mallee) in Australia. Paenibacillus 9.4E and Streptomyces BD141 had increased establishment growth (plants per meter), and significantly increased the number of secondary roots per plant (Table 21 ).

Table 21. Results from field trials assessing microbial inoculants for increasing establishment, growth and yield of canola in the low rainfall zone. Data is the mean plants/m at 6 wks (Parilla), shoot dry weight (DW) g per plant and number of secondary roots at 13 wks and final grain yield, six replicates. Control treatment contains no fungicide or microbial inoculation. Microbes were applied as seed coatings.

EXAMPLE 9 - CANOLA GROWTH UNDER PYTHIUM ROOT ROT STRESS

Strains were assessed as seed coatings on canola at three sites with Pythium infested soil. There was no impact on grain yield at the two Spalding sites in 2015 or 2016, however Streptomyces BD141 and Paenibacillus 9.4E

significantly increased the percentage of roots with root hairs at the 2016 Spalding site (Table 22). Paenibacillus 9.4E significantly increased grain yield at Turretfield in 201 6 by 1 1 .4%.

Table 22. Results from control of Pythium root rot on canola field trials. Data presented is the mean plants/m at 3-4 wks, shoot dry weight (DW) mg per plant, root disease score (DS, 0-10), % of root system with root hairs at eight weeks and final grain yield, six replicates. Control treatment contains no fungicide or microbial inoculation. Microbes were applied as seed coatings. % increase in yield is relative to untreated Control.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to, or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.

Also, it must be noted that, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural aspects unless the context already dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a microorganism" includes a single microorganism as well as two or more microorganisms; "a wheat plant" includes a single wheat plant as well as two or more wheat plants; and so forth.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers.

Reference is made to standard textbooks of molecular biology that contain methods for carrying out basic techniques encompassed by the present invention, including DNA restriction and ligation for the generation of the various genetic constructs described herein. See, for example, Maniatis et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, 1982) and Sambrook et al. (2000, supra).

Additional Sheet for Biological Material

Identification of deposits:

1 ) The Name and Address of depositary institution for the deposits

National Measurement Institute

1 /153 Bertie Street

Port Melbourne

Victoria, Australia, 3207

2) Depositor:

All above mentioned depositions were made by:

Professor Chris Franco

Flinders University

Room 4.1 9

Level 4 Health Sciences Building

Registry Road, Bedford Park, SA

Australia

Copies of the above mentioned deposit receipts follow:

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A bacterial inoculant for controlling a fungal root disease on a wheat or canola plant.

2. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 1 wherein the fungal root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia.

3. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 2 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus.

4. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism having a 1 6S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3.

5. A bacterial inoculant according to any one of claims 2, 3, or 4 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Paenibacillus sp. 1 0.6D as deposited under NMI accession number V17/004922; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant.

6. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 2 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces.

7. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 2 or 6 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism having a 1 6S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 5.

8. A bacterial inoculant according to any one of claims 2, 6 or 7 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Streptomyces sp. HCA1 273 as deposited under NMI accession number V1 7/004924; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant.

9. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 1 wherein the fungal root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium.

10. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 9 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus.

1 1 . A bacterial inoculant according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism having a 1 6S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4.

12. A bacterial inoculant according to any one of claims 9, 10 or 1 1 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Paenibacillus sp. 9.4E as deposited under NMI accession number V17/004921 ; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant.

13. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 9 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces.

14. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 9 or 13 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism having a 1 6S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 6.

15. A bacterial inoculant according to any one of claims 9, 13 or 14 wherein the bacterial inoculant includes microorganism Streptomyces sp. BD141 as deposited under NMI accession number V17/004923; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to control a fungal root disease in a wheat or canola plant.

16. An inoculant composition comprising a bacterial inoculant according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. An inoculant composition according to claim 16 wherein the inoculant composition comprises a seed dressing.

18. A method for controlling a fungal root disease on a wheat or canola plant, the method comprising inoculating a wheat or canola plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the fungal root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Rhizoctonia.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein the fungal root disease is caused by a pathogen of the genus Pythium.

21 . A method according to any one of claims 18, 19 or 20 wherein the bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition are inoculated onto a wheat or canola seed.

22. A bacterial inoculant according to claim 1 as herein before described with respect to any of the examples.

23. An inoculant composition according to claim 1 6 as hereinbefore described with respect to any of the examples.

24. A method according to claim 18 as herein before described with respect to any of the examples.

25. A bacterial inoculant for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus having a 1 6S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4.

26. A bacterial inoculant for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus sp. 9.4E as deposited under NMI accession number

V17/004921 ; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to improve growth in a canola plant under water limited conditions.

27. A bacterial inoculant for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces having a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 6.

28. A bacterial inoculant for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, wherein the bacterial inoculant includes a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces sp. BD141 as deposited under NMI accession number

V17/004923; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to improve growth in a canola plant under water limited conditions.

29. An inoculant composition comprising a bacterial inoculant according to any one of claims 25 to 28.

30. An inoculant composition according to claim 29 wherein the inoculant composition comprises a seed dressing.

31 . A method for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, the method comprising inoculating a canola plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition comprising a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus having a 1 6S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 4.

32. A method for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, the method comprising inoculating a canola plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition comprising a microorganism of the genus Paenibacillus sp. 9.4E as deposited under NMI accession number V17/004921 ; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to improve growth in a canola plant under water limited conditions.

33. A method for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, the method comprising inoculating a canola plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition comprising a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces having a 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence which is at least 98% identical to SEQ ID NO: 6.

34. A method for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions, the method comprising inoculating a canola plant with a bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition comprising a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces sp. BD141 as deposited under NMI accession number V1 7/004923; or a mutant or derivative of said deposited microorganism that retains the ability to improve growth in a canola plant under water limited conditions.

35. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 34 wherein the bacterial inoculant or inoculant composition are inoculated onto a canola seed.

36. A bacterial inoculant for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions as hereinbefore described with respect to any of the examples.

37. An inoculant composition for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions as hereinbefore described with respect to any of the examples.

38. A method for improving growth of a canola plant under water limited conditions as hereinbefore described with respect to any of the examples.