WO2024211278A1 - Compositions of spore forming microorganism with humic substances and methods of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to compositions comprising at least one bacterial additive, such as a Bacillota species, and at least one humic substance. The compositions can be combined with fertilizers, and can be used in methods to increase nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability in plants.

Description

COMPOSITIONS OF SPORE FORMING MICROORGANISM WITH HUMIC

SUBSTANCES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

63/493,903, filed April 3, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to compositions comprising spore forming microorganisms with humic substances, and use thereof. The present invention also relates to methods of using a composition comprising spore forming microorganisms with humic substances for specialty usages such as increased nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability. The present invention also relates to applications in which both the microorganisms and the humic substances are delivered to the end use application via delivery vehicles including, but not limited to, mineral fertilizer carriers and/or seeds.

BACKGROUND

[0003] With a growing global population and a changing environmental landscape, the discovery of compositions and methods to improve plant growth and yield has been a focus of the agricultural and agrochemical industry. In view of such a dynamic landscape, there remains a need for more efficacious compositions and methods that demonstrate improved plant growth, yield and quality.

[0004] One method that can considered to improve plant growth includes the use of biostimulants and biofertilizers. Due to their resilience in a variety of physical and chemical stressors, endospores are a popular inclusion in microbial biostimulant and biofertilizer preparations. Many microbial-based agricultural formulations are delivered in either liquid or powder form. However, in practice, the commercial application of spore forming microbial products poses unique challenges in achieving long-term shelf life under a range of storage and use conditions. These challenges include: (a) physical separation, wherein the microbial component becomes non-homogenously distributed in the package; (b) stability to environmental contaminants, especially microbial contaminants including mold, yeast, or others; and (c) stability of the active microbial ingredients themselves under stressed storage and use conditions, both in pre-coating liquid suspensions and on post-coating mineral fertilizer carriers. Although endospores are more resistant to chemical stressors than vegetative bacterial cells, many may be labile to concentrated preservative levels given sufficient contact time. Additionally, once coated onto a mineral fertilizer carrier, the endospores must remain viable and adherent to the fertilizer carrier under a range of environmental conditions to ensure quality and consistent performance in the end use application, allowing for relevant storage times and conditions in agricultural industry distribution channels.

[0005] A number of strategies have been employed to achieve stability of microbial-based agriculture products, but there remains a need for strategies to help spore forming microbial based compositions to remain physically and biologically stable during long-term storage and usage under a range of relevant conditions, both as concentrates and after coating onto a mineral fertilizer carrier.

SUMMARY

[0006] Described herein are compositions and methods for increasing the survivability of spore forming microbials and improving the biological efficiency of spore forming microbial based compositions. The present disclosure provides compositions comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance, which supports stability and viability of the bacterial additive while improving biological efficiency of the product. Microorganisms and humic substances in each case may be coupled with delivery vehicles including, but not limited to, mineral fertilizer carriers and/or seeds. The present disclosure also provides compositions comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance coated onto a mineral fertilizer carrier which will maintain or improve bacterial viability and/or adherence to the fertilizer carrier under environmental conditions.

[0007] Accordingly, in one aspect the disclosure provides compositions comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising at least one spore forming bacterial additive and at least one humic substance. The compositions of the present disclosure provide microbial-based biostimulants or biofertilizer products that support stability and viability of the bacterial additive while improving biological efficiency of the product, and that can originate specialty usages such as increased nutrient efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability.

[0008] The disclosure provides composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance.

[0009] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the at least one bacterial additive comprises endospore forming Bacillota. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, or Lysinibacillus spp. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises a Bacillus species. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), B. licheniformis (BL), B. megaterium (BM) and B. thuringiensis (BT), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises a combination of B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), and B. licheniformis (BL). In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises a combination of B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. pumilus (BP) and B. licheniformis (BL). In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises endospores. In some embodiments, the endospores are suspended in a solution.

[0010] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the at least one humic substance comprises humic acid, fulvic acid and/or humin. In some embodiments, the at least one humic substance comprises humic acid. In some embodiments, the at least one humic substance comprises fulvic acid. In some embodiments, the at least one humic substance comprises humin. In some embodiments, the at least one humic substance comprises seaweed extract.

[0011] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition further comprises a mineral fertilizer. In some embodiments, the mineral fertilizer comprises urea. In some embodiments, the mineral fertilizer comprises phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

[0012] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated on a dry fertilizer. In some embodiments, the liquid fertilizer or dry fertilizer comprises nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid fertilizer comprises urea, ammonium nitrate, polyphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, blended and compounded nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (“NPK”), or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the liquid fertilizer comprises a flowable suspension for fertigation, or any fertilizer capable of being dissolved.

[0013] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated on a dry fertilizer. In some embodiments, the dry fertilizer comprises urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, blended and compounded NPK, or any combination thereof.

[0014] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition is coated onto the seeds of a plant.

[0015] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition comprises the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance present at a ratio in the range of 1 : 10 to 10: 1. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio of 1 : 5.

[0016] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, Lysinibacillus spp, or a combination thereof.

[0017] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, agronomic efficiency and/or partial factor productivity of the composition are increased relative to an otherwise equivalent composition comprising the at least one bacterial additive without the humic substance.

[0018] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition improves crop nutrient assimilation, optimizes yield potential, enhances root development, improves plant vigor, enhances native microbial activity in the soil, improves soil productivity and/or improves soil health compared to plants that have not been treated with the composition, or plants that have been treated with an otherwise equivalent composition comprising the at least one bacterial additive without the humic substance.

[0019] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition increases survivability of the bacterial additive. In some embodiments, the composition increases: (a) calcium stability of calcium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; (b) magnesium stability of magnesium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; (c) manganese stability of manganese contained on the coated dry fertilizer; (d) nitrogen stability of nitrogen contained on the coated dry fertilizer; (e) phosphorus stability of the phosphorus contained on the coated dry fertilizer; (f) zinc crop uptake when applied with zinc contained on the coated dry fertilizer; and/or (g) iron crop uptake when applied with iron contained on the coated dry fertilizer. In some embodiments, the composition improves calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, iron, and/or zinc plant uptake in most soils.

[0020] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition increases survivability of a bacterial spore on a hostile surface. In some embodiments, the hostile surface comprises very high pH (basic), very low pH (acidic), very high level of chemicals that inhibit life, high levels of incomplete reactions that produced chemicals, urea, single super phosphate, and/or super triple phosphate.

[0021] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition further comprises a surfactant and/or a wetter agent.

[0022] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition humidity is below 20%.

[0023] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition further comprises one or more micronutrients.

[0024] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated onto a dry fertilizer.

[0025] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, a drying agent is applied after the composition is coated onto a dry fertilizer.

[0026] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the composition further comprises an agent that drives modifications to a microbial phenotype.

[0027] In some embodiments of the composition of the disclosure, the at least one bacterial additive comprises B. amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, and B. licheniformis at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 : 1. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus, and B. licheniformis at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1.

[0028] The disclosure provides a composition comprising: (a) a liquid component comprising the composition of the disclosure; and (b) a carrier component comprising a mineral fertilizer or seed.

[0029] The disclosure provides a method using the composition of the disclosure, the method comprising a specialty usage. In some embodiments, the specialty usage comprises increasing nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability. In some embodiments, the nutrient comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, non-essential nutrients, and/or micronutrients. In some embodiments, the non-essential nutrients comprise titanium, selenium, and/or silicon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0030] FIG. 1 shows the effect of treating corn with a composition of the present disclosure on the corn yield. The corn yield was recorded by weighing the dried grains per plot. The data of yield of corn grain was recorded as kg per plot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Provided herein are, inter alia, compositions and methods for increasing nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and/or crop nutrient availability, and increasing the survivability of spore forming microbials and improving the biological efficiency of spore forming microbial based compositions. The compositions comprise at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance. Also provided herein are compositions and methods for increasing the survivability of spore forming microbials and improving the biological efficiency of spore forming microbial based compositions comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance. The compositions and methods described herein provide certain advantages over other compositions and methods including, but not limited to, increasing stability and viability of the bacterial additive, improving biological efficiency of the microbial product, and promoting desirable microbial phenotypes which may adventitiously result in specialty usages such as increased nutrient efficiency and/or increased crop nutrient availability.

Compositions

[0032] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to compositions comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises at least one spore forming bacterial additive. Notably, in some cases the compositions of the present disclosure can also provide microbial-based biostimulants or biofertilizer products that support stability and viability of the bacterial additive while increasing biological efficiency of the product, nutrient efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to compositions comprising a) a liquid component comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance; and b) a carrier component comprising a mineral fertilizer or a seed. Notably, the compositions of the present disclosure will maintain or improve bacterial viability and/or adherence to the carrier under environmental conditions.

[0033] In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises endospore forming Bacillota. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, Lysinibacillus spp, and/or another Bacillota species, wherein spp refers to species within a genus. For example, Bacillus spp refers to one or more species within the genus, such as the genus Bacillus. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive is Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, and/or Lysinibacillus spp. In some embodiments, the Bacillus species is B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), B. licheniformis (BL), B. megaterium (BM) and B. thuringiensis (BT) or another Bacillus species. [0034] In some embodiments, the bacterial additive comprises one or more endospore forming Bacillota. Bacillota are a phylum of bacteria, which includes the Bacillus genus. In some embodiments, the one or more endospore forming Bacillota is Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, Lysinibacillus spp, another Bacillota species, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more endospore forming Bacillota is a Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, or Lysinibacillus species. In some embodiments, the Bacillus species is B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), B. licheniformis (BL), Priestia megaterium (basonym B. megaterium (BM)) B. thuringiensis (BT), another Bacillus species, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the Bacillus species is B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), and/or B. licheniformis (BL). In some embodiments, the Bacillus species is B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. pumilus (BP), and/or B. licheniformis (BL).

[0035] Bacillota species such as Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, Lysinibacillus genus species are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such species are available from generally recognized depositories. Exemplary deposit information for bacterial species that can be used in the in the compositions of the disclosure is provided in Table A below.

Table A. Deposit Numbers for Exemplary bacteria species

* American Type Culture Collection (atcc.org)

Liquid endospore suspensions or solutions

[0036] In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive comprises a liquid endospore solution (i.e., in a solution). In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension comprises at least one endospore forming Bacillota. In some embodiments, the one or more endospore forming Bacillota is Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, Lysinibacillus spp, another Bacillota species, or any combination thereof.

[0037] In some embodiments, liquid endospore suspension has a microbial concentration from about 1X10⁶ to about 1X10¹² colony forming units per mL (CFU/mL), e.g., 1X10⁶ to about 1X10¹¹ CFU/mL, about 1X10⁸ to 1X10¹² CFU/mL, or about 1X10⁹ to 1X10¹² CFU/mL. In some embodiments, the liquid endospore has a microbial concentration comprising about 1X10⁷ to about 1X10¹¹ CFU/mL. In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension has a microbial concentration comprising about 1X10⁸ to about 1X10¹⁰ CFU/mL. In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension has a microbial concentration comprising about 5X10⁸ to about 1X10¹⁰ CFU/mL. In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension has a microbial concentration comprising about 5X10⁸ to about 5X10⁹ CFU/mL. Exemplary liquid endospore solutions are described in PCT/US2023/079253, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0038] In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension comprises one or more preservative agents, buffering agents, suspending agents, surfactants, or a combination thereof. Exemplary additional preservative agents, buffering agents, suspending agents and surfactants are described in WO 2021/022128, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

[0039] The one or more preservative agents can be selected from a modified isothiazolin compound, an ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a modified quaternary amine, a modified urea, a glycerin derivative, 2-bromo-2-nitro-l,3-propanediol, a natural oil, an organic acid having a molecular weight of no more than 200 and at least one pKa greater than 4.2, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more preservative agents comprises calcium sulfate.

[0040] In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension can include about 0.01 wt% to 15.0 wt% of the one or more preservative agents, e.g., about 0.01 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 0.01 wt% to 5.0 wt%, about 0.01 wt% to 3.0 wt%, about 0.01 wt% to 1.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 15.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 5.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 3.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 1.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 15.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 5.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 3.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 1.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt% to 15.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt% to 5.0 wt%, or about 1.0 wt% to 3.0 wt% of the one or more preservative agents.

[0041] In some embodiments, the liquid endospore solution can include one suspending agent, two suspending agents, three suspending agents, or more than three suspending agents. The suspending agent is used, inter alia, for suspending the microbes in the aqueous composition, thereby providing the desirable physical stability. In some embodiments, the suspending agent is a polymer, a surfactant, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the suspending agent can include xanthan gum, acacia gum, alcohol ethoxylate, or a combination thereof.

[0042] In some embodiments, the suspension agent comprises as rheological modifier. Rheological modifiers are substances that alter the rheological properties of a material, i.e. that are added to a formulation to alter viscosity. Suitable rheological modifiers can include, but are not limited to, commercially available rheological modifiers comprising urea and modified versions of urea, such as RHEOBYK®-410.

[0043] In some embodiments, the liquid endospore suspension can include about 0.01 wt% to 15.0 wt% buffering agent, e.g., about 0.01 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 0.01 wt% to 5.0 wt%, about 0.01 wt% to 3.0 wt%, about 0.01 wt% to 1.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 15.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 5.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 3.0 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to 1.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 15.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 5.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 3.0 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to 1.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt% to 15.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt% to 10.0 wt%, about 1.0 wt% to 5.0 wt%, or about 1.0 wt% to 3.0 wt% buffering agent.

[0044] The buffering agent can be in an amount sufficient to keep the pH of the liquid endospore suspension at greater than 4.2, e.g., greater than 4.5, greater than 5.0, greater than 5.5, greater than 6.0, greater than 6.5, or greater than 7.0. In some embodiments, the buffering agent can be in an amount sufficient to keep the pH of the composition in the range of about 4.3 to about 12.0, e.g., about 4.3 to about 11.0, about 4.3 to about 10.0, about 4.3 to about 9.5, about 4.3 to about 9.0, about 4.3 to about 8.5, about 5.0 to about 12.0, about 5.0 to about 11.0, about 5.0 to about 10.0, about 5.0 to about 9.5, about 5.0 to about 9.0, about 5.0 to about 8.5, about 5.5 to about 12.0, about 5.5 to about 11.0, about 5.5 to about 10.0, about 5.5 to about 9.5, about 5.5 to about 9.0, or about 5.5 to about 8.5.

[0045] The pH of a liquid composition or liquid endospore suspension of the present disclosure can be selected to maximize shelf life of the spores and/or colonies stored in the composition for extended periods. pH’s less than about 4 may have a detrimental effect on stability of certain bacterial spores at elevated temperatures. For example, Bacillus spores can demineralize at low pH, losing their resistance to high temperature storage. Therefore, a pH greater than about 4.2 is desirable for improving the biological stability of Bacillus spores. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance increases survivability of a bacterial spore on a hostile surface. In some embodiments, the hostile surface comprises very high pH (basic), very low pH (acidic), very high level of chemicals that inhibit life, high levels of incomplete reactions that produced chemicals, urea, single super phosphate, and/or super triple phosphate.

Humic substances

[0046] The disclosure provides compositions comprising at least one humic substance. In some embodiments, the at least one humic substance comprises at least one humic acid, fulvic acid, humin, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one humic substance comprises at least one humic acid, fulvic acid and/or humin. In some embodiments, the humic substance is a humic acid, a fulvic acid or a humin. In some embodiments, the humic substance can include at least one humic substance, at least two humic substances, at least three humic substances, or four or more humic substances. In some embodiments, the one or more humic substances comprises seaweed extract. In some embodiments, the one or more humic substances is extracted from seaweed extract. In some embodiments, the humic substance originated from industrial processes. In some embodiments, the humic substance is extracted from Leonardite. In some embodiments, the humic substance is extracted using redox reactions, dissolution, high pressure and temperature extractions, and/or chemical dissolution with strong acids and bases. In some embodiments, the humic substance may include long and/or short chain humic derived molecules. [0047] In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance are present at a ratio in the range of about 10:1 to 1: 10 in the composition. In some embodiments, the bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, and/or Lysinibacillus spp. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio in the range of about 20: 1 to 1 :20. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio in the range of about 15: 1 to 1 : 15. In some embodiments, at least the one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio in the range of about 10: 1 to 1 : 10. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio in the range of about 10: 1, 9:1, 8: 1, 7:1, 6: 1, 5:1, 4: 1, 3:1, 2: 1, 1: 1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1 :6, 1:7, 1 :8, 1:9, or 1 : 10. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio of about 1 :5. In some embodiments, the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio of about 1:1.

[0048] In some embodiments, the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance further comprises at least one surfactant and/or wetter agent. Examples of wetter agents include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol and glycerin. Examples of surfactants include, but are not limited to, a nonionic surfactant, a primary alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, a secondary alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, a primary alkyl alcohol propoxylate, a secondary alkyl alcohol propoxy late, and/or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the surfactant has a cloud point from about 30 °C to about 80 °C, and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance from about 5 to about 15. In some embodiments, the surfactant is a C- 13 branched primary alcohol with average ethoxylation of 5 to lO, e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.

[0049] In some embodiments, the surfactant includes an ethoxylated primary branched Cl 3 alcohol with full saturation, such as Synperonic™ 13/7 or Synperonic™ 13/6. In some embodiments, the surfactant includes alcohol ethoxylate, such as Ecosurf™ EH-6. In some embodiments, the surfactant includes a mixture of 58.0-62.0% D-glucopyranose, oligomeric, decyl octyl glycoside and 38.0-42.0% water, and contains less than 2% decanol and less than 1.0% octanol, such as Triton™ CGI 10. In some embodiments, the surfactant includes secondary polyether polyol, such as Tergitol™ L-62. In some embodiments, the surfactant includes secondary alcohol ethoxylate, such as Tergitol™ 15-S-12.

[0050] In some embodiments, the surfactant includes a non-ionic alkyl EO/PO copolymer, such as Tergitol™ XDLW.

[0051] In some embodiments, the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can include about 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% surfactant, e.g., about 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 2 wt%, 0.1 wt% to 1 wt%, 0.5 wt% to 1 wt%, or 0.5 wt% to 2 wt% surfactant.

[0052] When used in agronomic applications, the compositions of the present disclosure can provide a number of desirable characteristics related to decreased spoilage, endospore stability, and/or specialty usages including, but not limited to, increasing nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability.

Fertilizer Compositions

[0053] The disclosure provides fertilizer compositions comprising microbial-based biostimulants or biofertilizer products that support stability and viability of the bacterial additive while increasing biological efficiency of the product, nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability.

[0054] In some embodiments, the composition comprises a) a liquid component comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance; and b) a carrier component. In some embodiments, the carrier component comprises a mineral fertilizer or a seed. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure will maintain or improve bacterial viability and/or adherence to the carrier under environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated on a dry fertilizer.

[0055] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to fertilizing compositions comprising a liquid fertilizer in combination with a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance described herein. In other embodiments, the present disclosure relates to fertilizing compositions comprising a dry fertilizer coated with a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance described herein. [0056] In some embodiments, the fertilizer is a mineral fertilizer. In some embodiments, the mineral fertilizer comprises urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, and/or various blended and compounded NPKs (nitrogen, e.g., urea, combined with phosphate and potassium sources). In some embodiments, the fertilizer is an organic fertilizer. In some embodiments, the organic fertilizer comprises fish meal, bird guano, livestock manure, compost, and/or rock phosphate. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a fertilizing composition coated onto seeds. In some embodiments, the fertilizing composition comprises a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance described herein. In some embodiments, a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance is coated onto seeds of any plant. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein can be coated onto seeds of any plant including, but not limited to, rice, corn, soybean, onion, sugar cane, tomato, barley, lettuce, wheat, potato, legumes, or grass.

[0057] In some embodiments, a composition of the present disclosure can be used as a biostimulant and/or a component of enhanced an efficiency fertilizer in agronomy applications to promote plant health and vigor and improve crop yield. In some embodiments, it can be applied to soil after being coated onto carriers or via irrigation/chemigation processes, or via tank mixed with other agrochemicals, or coated onto seeds. In some embodiments, the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance may be coated onto a nutritive fertilizer. For example, the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance may be coated onto common fertilizer particles such as urea, monoammonium and diammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, compound and blended NPKs, and biosolids. The resulting coated fertilizer particles can then be field applied via standard fertilization practices known in the art. Alternatively, the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance may be mixed with liquid fertilizers and applied as part of a standard fertilization regimen known in the art. The composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance may be combined with other agrochemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, or insecticides in a tank mix and applied via spray application. The composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance may also be applied directly to the leaves of a plant via foliar application.

[0058] In yet another embodiment, compositions of the present invention comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance are added to liquid fertilizers certified for use in organic farming (e.g. Phytamin™, Phyta-QC™, Tridents Pride, etc.) and the subsequent blended liquid is used as part of an organic crop fertility program. In some embodiments, the liquid fertilizer comprises a flowable suspension for fertigation in combination with urea, ammonium nitrate, polyphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, NPK (blended and compounded), and/or any fertilizer capable of being dissolved.

[0059] In another embodiment, compositions of the present invention comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance are coated onto a dry fertilizer. In some embodiments, the dry fertilizer is an organic fertilizer. In some embodiments, the organic fertilizer includes fish meal, bird guano, livestock manure, compost, and/or rock phosphate. In some embodiments, the dry fertilizer is a mineral fertilizer. In some embodiments, the mineral fertilizer comprises urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, and/or various blended and compounded Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (“NPK”). In some embodiments, the dry fertilizer comprises urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and/or NPK (blended and compounded).

[0060] In some embodiments, after the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance is coated onto a dry fertilizer, a drying agent is applied (postcoating). In some embodiments, the drying agent is ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, another ammonia-based drying agent, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the drying agent is applied to granular urea following coating with a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance.

[0061] In another embodiment, the liquid fertilizer or dry fertilizer comprises nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or any combination thereof.

[0062] To improve coating efficiency and retention of the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance onto a dry fertilizer with a hydrophobic environment and/or exterior a surfactant and/or a wetter agent may be added to the composition. The addition of an appropriate surfactant and/or wetter agent may also aid steric stabilization by preventing the spores from clumping together. In some embodiments the wetter agents comprises propylene glycol and glycerin. In some embodiments the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant, a primary alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, a secondary alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, a primary alkyl alcohol propoxylate, a secondary alkyl alcohol propoxylate, and/or any combination thereof.

Methods of using compositions of the disclosure

Methods of fertilizing crops

[0063] The disclosure provides methods for fertilizing crops using any of the compositions described herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting the crop with a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance. In some embodiments, the crop is an organic crop. In some embodiments, the crop is not an organic crop. In some embodiments, the crop is grown using conventional farming practices (i.e., the management of crop resource input uniformly including the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides). Examples of crops include, but are not limited to, rice, corn, soybean, onion, sugar cane, tomato, potato, barley, wheat, legume, lettuce, cotton, oat, and grass.

[0064] In some embodiments, the method comprises contacting the crop with the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance, at least once during growth season, e.g., 1-3 times. In some embodiments, the contacting of the crop comprises applying the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance to soil, an irrigation system, and/or the leaves of the crop. In some embodiments, the method further comprises mixing the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance with a fertilizer prior to contacting the crop.

[0065] When used in agronomic applications, the compositions of the present disclosure can provide a number of desirable characteristics related to soil health and improvement of soil quality, such as increased nutrient availability, increased organic matter content, decreased compaction, and improved moisture retention. The composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can also provide a number of desirable characteristics related to plant health and vigor including, but not limited to, improved nutrient use uptake, improved abiotic stress tolerance, increased plant biomass, increased vegetation index (ND VI), and increased crop yield.

[0066] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve crop nutrient assimilation, can optimize yield potential, can enhance root development, can improve plant vigor, can enhance native microbial activity in the soil, can improve soil productivity and/or can improve soil health. In some embodiments, the composition can improve crop assimilation of essential and/or non-essential nutrients. In some embodiments, the composition improves crop assimilation of essential nutrients. For example, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance improves crop assimilation of calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, iron, another essential nutrient, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance improves crop assimilation of calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and/or iron. In some embodiments, the composition improves calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, iron, and/or zinc plant uptake in most soils. In some embodiments, the composition maintains or increases: a) calcium stability of calcium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; b) magnesium stability of magnesium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; c) manganese stability of manganese contained on the coated dry fertilizer; d) nitrogen stability of nitrogen contained on the coated dry fertilizer; e) phosphorus stability of the phosphorus contained on the coated dry fertilizer; f) zinc crop uptake when applied with zinc contained on the coated dry fertilizer; and/or g) iron crop uptake when applied with iron contained on the coated dry fertilizer.

[0067] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve crop assimilation of non-essential nutrients. For example, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance improves crop assimilation of titanium, selenium, and/or silicon, another non-essential nutrient, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance improves crop assimilation of titanium, selenium, and/or silicon. In some embodiments, the composition improves titanium, selenium, and/or silicon plant uptake in most soils.

[0068] In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of non-essential nutrients. For example, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of titanium, selenium, and/or silicon, another non-essential nutrient, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of titanium, selenium, and/or silicon. In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of titanium, selenium, and/or silicon for plant uptake in most soils.

[0069] In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability wherein the nutrient comprises essential nutrients, non-essential nutrients, and/or micronutrients. In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability wherein the nutrient comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, non-essential nutrients, and/or micronutrients.

[0070] In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of essential nutrients. For example, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium phosphorus, zinc, iron, another essential nutrient, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and/or iron. In some embodiments, the method increases nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability of calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, iron, and/or zinc for plant uptake in most soils.

[0071] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the method of using the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance, wherein the method comprises a specialty usage. In some embodiments, the specialty usage comprises increased nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability. For example, in some embodiments, the method of using the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance increases nutrient use efficiency. In some embodiments, the method of using the composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance increases crop nutrient availability.

Methods of improving stability

[0072] The disclosure provides methods of inhibiting of the proliferation of at least one environmental spoilage organism using any of the compositions described herein. Compositions of the present disclosure can be antagonistic to spoilage organisms while simultaneously supportive of endospore dormancy and stability.

[0073] The disclosure also provides methods of inhibiting the proliferation of at least one environmental spoilage organism in a liquid endospore suspension, wherein the method comprises use of at least one osmotic preservative. In some embodiments, the at least one environmental spoilage organism includes, but is not limited to a bacterial, a yeast, or a fungus contaminant.

[0074] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at about 20 °C to about 40 °C for at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 7 months, at least 8 months, at least 9 months, at least 10 months, at least 11 months, at least a year, at least 1.5 years, or at least 2 years. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at about 20 °C to about 40 °C for about 6 months to about 3 years, e.g., about 6 months to about 2 years, about 6 months to about 1.5 years, about 6 months to about 1 year, about 1 year to about 3 years, about 1 year to 2 years, or about 1 year to 1.5 years. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at about 20 °C to about 40 °C for about 3 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about a year, about 1.5 years, or about 2 years. For example, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at about 40 °C for about 6 months (i.e. 180 days).

[0075] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at room temperature for at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 7 months, at least 8 months, at least 9 months, at least 10 months, at least 11 months, at least a year, at least 1.5 years, or at least 2 years. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at room temperature for about 6 months to about 3 years, e.g., about 6 months to about 2 years, about 6 months to about 1.5 years, about 6 months to about 1 year, about 1 year to about 3 years, about 1 year to 2 years, or about 1 year to 1.5 years. For example, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can maintain or improve biological stability at room temperature for about 3 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about a year, about 1.5 years, about 2 years, about 2.5 years, or about 3 years.

[0076] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at about 20 °C to about 40 °C for at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 7 months, at least 8 months, at least 9 months, at least 10 months, at least 11 months, at least a year, at least 1.5 years, or at least 2 years. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at about 20 °C to about 40 °C for about 6 months to about 3 years, e.g., about 6 months to about 2 years, about 6 months to about 1.5 years, about 6 months to about 1 year, about 1 year to about 3 years, about 1 year to 2 years, or about 1 year to 1.5 years. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at about 20 °C to about 40 °C for about 3 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about a year, about 1.5 years, or about 2 years. For example, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at about 40 °C for about 6 months (i.e. 180 days).

[0077] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at room temperature for at least 3 months, at least 6 months, at least 7 months, at least 8 months, at least 9 months, at least 10 months, at least 11 months, at least a year, at least 1.5 years, or at least 2 years. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at room temperature for about 6 months to about 3 years, e.g., about 6 months to about 2 years, about 6 months to about 1.5 years, about 6 months to about 1 year, about 1 year to about 3 years, about 1 year to 2 years, or about 1 year to 1.5 years. For example, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive at room temperature for about 3 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about a year, about 1.5 years, about 2 years, about 2.5 years, or about 3 years.

[0078] In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can improve the biological performance of the bacterial additive. In some embodiments, the composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance increases survivability of the bacterial additive. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure can increase survivability of the at least one bacterial additive by at least 5% as compared to a control composition where the at least one humic substance is not used. In some embodiments, the composition can increase survivability of the at least one bacterial additive by at least 6%, at least 7%, at least 8%, at least 9%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50% as compared to a control composition where the at least one humic substance is not used. In some embodiments, the composition can increase survivability of the at least one bacterial additive by about 10% to 200% as compared to a control composition where the at least one humic substance is not used. Survivability can be measured by plate count assays.

[0079] The composition including at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance can remain biologically and/or physically stable for the aforementioned periods of time under a variety of humidity conditions. In some embodiments, the humidity is ambient. In some embodiments, the humidity is about 10% to about 90%, e.g., about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 75%, about 30% to about 70%, about 30% to about 65%, or about 30% to about 60%. In some embodiments, the humidity is about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about

25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about

65%, or about 70%. In some embodiments, the humidity is below about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about

60%, about 65%, or about 70%. In some embodiments, the humidity is below 10%, 15%, 20%,

25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, or 70%. In some embodiments, the composition humidity is below 20%.

[0080] In some embodiments, the composition maintains or increases: a) calcium stability of calcium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; b) magnesium stability of magnesium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; c) manganese stability of manganese contained on the coated dry fertilizer; d) nitrogen stability of nitrogen contained on the coated dry fertilizer; e) phosphorus stability of the phosphorus contained on the coated dry fertilizer; or any combination thereof.

[0081] While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

[0082] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Definitions

[0083] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0084] As used herein, “hostile surface” refers to a surface that decreases the survivability of a microorganism, including but not limited to bacterial spores. For example, a hostile surface may have an overly acidic pH or an overly basic pH. Another example of a hostile surface may include, but is not limited to, an overly smooth particle surface and other retention-based issues. Further, a hostile surface should be understood to include, but not limited to, a surface that is hostile to microbial survivability and/or retention potential. A non-limiting example of a hostile surface may include, but is not limited to, prilled fertilizers and other overly-smooth particles with few harborage sites for endospore adsorption.

[0085] As used herein, “liquid fertilizer” refers to any form of liquid fertilizer available, any flowable suspension for fertigation and any fertilizer capable of being dissolved. For example, liquid fertilizer may include, but is not limited to, urea, ammonium nitrate, polyphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and/or NPK (blended and compounded). Additionally, the liquid fertilizer may include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or any combination thereof.

[0086] As used herein, “dry fertilizer” refers to any form of dry fertilizer available, any fertilizer capable of being blended and/or compounded to produce a dry mixture. For example, dry fertilizer may include, but is not limited to, urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and/or NPK (blended and compounded). Additionally, the dry fertilizer may include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or any combination thereof. The fertilizer can be understood to be granular (e.g. granular urea).

[0087] As used herein, “NPK” refers to Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium fertilizers which include the macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (k) in varying amounts. The amount of each macro-nutrient component may be varied dependent on plant nutrient needs. NPK fertilizers may be compound, wherein the components are chemically bound, or blended, wherein the single nutrient components in a physical mixture.

[0088] As used herein, “drying agent” refers to one or more inorganic salts applied to a dry fertilizer. For example, the drying agent may include, but is not limited to, ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, another ammonia-based drying agent, or any combination thereof. These compounds may be applied following application of a composition of the of the present disclosure to a fertilizer.

[0089] As used herein, “humic substance” refers to one or more humic substances or at least one humic substance. Humic substances refer to a category of compounds which are present in soil and other organic matter. These compounds are not readily decomposed and are known to mediate many chemical reactions and are thought to play a role in the reduction of soil toxicity. Humic substances may be derived from decomposed plant and animal material including lignin, tannins, cellulose and cutins; or can be commercially or industrially produced from coal, lignite, Leonardite, or other organic materials. Humic substances may also be derived from seaweed and/or seaweed extracts (e.g. kelp). They are characterized by aromatic, polyaromatic, aliphatic, and carbohydrate units, often with carboxylic phenolic and ester functional groups. They may include long and/or short chain humic derived molecules. See Trevisan S. et al., Humic substances biological activity at the plant-soil interface: from environmental aspects to molecular factors. Plant Signal Behav. 2010 Jun;5(6):635-43; and Ampong et al, Understanding the Role of Humic Acids on Crop Performance and Soil Health. Front. Agron, 2022; Vol. 4., the relevant disclosures of which are incorporated by reference for the purpose and subject matter referenced herein.

[0090] Further, a humic substance can be understood to include, but is not limited to, humic substances extracted through industrial processes including, but not limited to, redox reactions, dissolution, high pressure and temperature extractions, and chemical dissolution with strong acids and bases. A humic substance may include long and/or short chain humic derived molecules. Additionally, a humic substance may include, but is not limited, industrial humic substances and non-Industrial or Commercial humic substances. Industrial humic substances are defined as a preparation of specific molecules from the humic molecular family, sold as either single molecules or blends of molecules, produced using specific industrial processes. The separation of molecular groups is based on specific chemical processes (condensation, redox, complexation, and many others) that may re-group a super mixture of molecules using industrialized chemical set ups. These molecules, or groups of molecules, may be selected for their ability to drive specific results in their end use application (e.g., uptake of specific nutrients like P or K) based on the known activity of the molecule, or molecular group, in question. Industrial humic substances have little, if any, batch- to-batch variation. Non-Industrial or Commercial humic substances are defined as a preparation of molecules from the humic molecular family that are produced using processes which target this molecular family in general, without consideration for specific molecular components. The separation of molecular components is based on a set of pH and solubility/precipitation relationships. These molecular mixtures may be selected for their ability to drive generalized results in the end-use application (e.g., growth promotion, nutrient uptake). Non-Industrial or Commercial humic substances often have significant batch-to-batch variation.

[0091] Exemplary humic substances can include humic acid, fulvic acid, humin and/or an industrial humic substance. As used herein “humic acid” refers a to an organic composition, often extracted from humas found in soil, which is typically soluble in water at a pH of 7 or above and insoluble at a pH of 2 or below. Humic acids may comprise carboxylates and/or phenolate groups which can form complexes with ions in the soil and have been shown to play a role in regulating the bioavailability of metal ions in soil. See Lovland PJ., Humic Substances: Structures, Models and Functions, The Journal of Agricultural Science. 2002; 139(1): 113-114., the relevant disclosures of which are incorporated by reference for the purpose and subject matter referenced herein.

[0092] As used herein, “fulvic acid” refers to an organic composition, often extracted from humus found in soil, which shares many structural similarities to humic acid, but in general has a higher number of carboxylic groups and a lower molecular weight. The structure of fulvic acid allows for it to be soluble in water at any pH.

[0093] As used herein, “humin” refers to an organic composition, often extracted from humus found in soil, which is not soluble in water at any pH and, when compared to humic acid and fulvic acid, generally has a higher molecular weight and lower levels of functional groups, specifically carboxyl and hydroxyl. See Hayes M et al., Chapter Two -Humin: Its Composition and Importance in Soil Organic Matter, Advan. Agron., 2017; 4:47-138.

[0094] As used herein, the term “seaweed extract” can be understood to mean a liquid extract or a dried/pulverized extract of one or more varieties of seaweed. Seaweed may be understood to mean a multicellular macroalgae. The seaweed variety can be a red seaweed/alga (Rhodophyta), a green seaweed/alga (Chlorophyta), or a brown seaweed/alga (Phaeophyceae, e.g. kelp). The seaweed extract may comprise one or more macro-nutrients, micro-nutrients, humic substances including humic acids, phytohormones, soluble alginates, and combinations thereof. The seaweed extract may be used as fertilizer and is commercially available (e.g. Kelpak®). Suitable seaweed extracts would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0095] As used herein, the term “biologically stable” refers to the microbial titer of a microbial composition changing no more than 25% (e.g., no more than 20%, no more than 15%, or no more than 10%) upon storage at a specific temperature (e.g. at room temperature) for a period of time (e.g., at least 6 months).

[0096] Further, the term “biological performance” may include, but is not limited to, product stability, and/or the ability of a microbial consortium to retain a concentration of viable, culturable endospores that meets or exceeds the product's label claim.

[0097] As used herein, the term nutrient use efficiency (NUB) may also refer to fertilizer use efficiency (FUE). Further, the following formulae for expressing NUE parameters (unit quantity of nutrient applied) can be adopted: Agronomic Efficiency (AE) relative to T1 = (Yield in treatment Tx - Yield in Tl)/Unit quantity of nutrient applied

Partial factor productivity (PFP) = Yield/Unit quantity of nutrient applied

[0098] Wherein “Tl” is a control treatment (e.g. urea) and “Tx” is a unique treatment condition. The nutrient applied can be Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, among others. As used herein, “yield” can be understood to mean the amount of agricultural production harvested per unit area of land. It can also be understood to mean grain yield (e.g. corn grain yield) or seed ratio (e.g. the multiplication ratio between the number of plants harvested for each seed planted).

[0099] As used herein, the term “Vegetation Index” can be understood to mean a spectral imaging transformation of two or more image bands to enhance the contribution of certain green vegetative features allowing for them to be distinguished from other objects in the image. The Vegetation Index can be a simple ratio (SR) which is a ratio between the reflectance recorded in Near Infrared (NIR) and Red bands. The Vegetation Index can be a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (ND VI) which is a method to monitor of green cover in an area calculated by taking a ratio between the difference and the sum of the reflectance in the NIR and Red bands. The Vegetation Index can be a Photochemical Reflectance Index as a measure of light usage which is a measure of light-use efficiency.

[00100] As used herein, the term “Standard fertilizer program” or “Farmer Standard fertilizer program” can be understood to mean a program comprising treatment with urea.

[00101] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” Any ranges cited herein are inclusive.

[00102] The terms “substantially”, “approximately,” and “about” used throughout this Specification and the claims generally mean plus or minus 10% of the value stated, e.g., about 100 would include 90 to 110.

[00103] The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” may refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[00104] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[00105] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[00106] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semiclosed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[00107] The claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. It should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. All embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the following claims and equivalents thereto are claimed.

[00108] Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, illustrative methods and materials are now described. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and from the claims. In the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms also include the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents and publications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[00109] Described herein are exemplary embodiments of compositions and methods for increasing the survivability of spore forming microbials and improving the biological efficiency of spore forming microbial based compositions as described herein. The invention can be understood with reference to the following enumerated embodiments.

[00110] Embodiment 1. A composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance, which supports stability and viability of the bacterial additive while improving biological efficiency of the product.

[00111] Embodiment 2. The composition of embodiment 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance may be coupled with delivery vehicles including, but not limited to, mineral fertilizer carriers.

[00112] Embodiment 3. A composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance coated onto a mineral fertilizer carrier which will maintain or improve bacterial viability and/or adherence to the fertilizer carrier under environmental conditions. [00113] Embodiment 4. A composition comprising at least one spore forming bacterial additive and at least one humic substance.

[00114] Embodiment 5. The compositions of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition is used as microbial-based biostimulant or biofertilizer product to support stability and viability of the bacterial additive while improving biological efficiency of the product, while supporting specialty usages such as increased nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability.

[00115] Embodiment 6. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises endospore forming Bacillota.

[00116] Embodiment 7. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, and/or Lysinibacillus spp.

[00117] Embodiment 8. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the at least one humic substance comprises humic acid, fulvic acid and/or humins.

[00118] Embodiment 9. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated on a dry fertilizer.

[00119] Embodiment 10. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition is coated onto seeds of any plant.

[00120] Embodiment 11. The composition of embodiment 9, wherein the liquid fertilizer comprises urea, ammonium nitrate, polyphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, NPK (blended and compounded), a flowable suspension for fertigation and/or any fertilizer capable of being dissolved.

[00121] Embodiment 12. The composition of embodiment 9, wherein the dry fertilizer comprises urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, and/or NPK (blended and compounded).

[00122] Embodiment 13. The composition of embodiment 9, wherein the liquid fertilizer or dry fertilizer comprises nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or any combination thereof. [00123] Embodiment 14. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition comprises the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance present at a ratio of 1 : 10 to 10: 1; and wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, and/ or Lysinibacillus spp.

[00124] Embodiment 15. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition improves the biological performance of the bacterial additive.

[00125] Embodiment 16. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition improves crop nutrient assimilation, optimizes yield potential, enhances root development, improves plant vigor, enhances native microbial activity in the soil, improves soil productivity and/or improves soil health.

[00126] Embodiment 17. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition increases survivability of the bacterial additive.

[00127] Embodiment 18. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition increases: a) calcium stability of calcium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; b) magnesium stability of magnesium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; c) manganese stability of manganese contained on the coated dry fertilizer; d) nitrogen stability of nitrogen contained on the coated dry fertilizer; e) phosphorus stability of the phosphorus contained on the coated dry fertilizer; f) zinc crop uptake when applied with zinc contained on the coated dry fertilizer; and/or g) iron crop uptake when applied with iron contained on the coated dry fertilizer.

[00128] Embodiment 19. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition improves calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, iron, and/or zinc plant uptake in most soils.

[00129] Embodiment 20. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition increases survivability of a bacterial spore on a hostile surface.

[00130] Embodiment 21. The composition of embodiment 20, wherein the hostile surface comprises very high pH (basic), very low pH (acidic), very high level of chemicals that inhibit life, high levels of incomplete reactions that produced chemicals, urea, single super phosphate, and/or super triple phosphate.

[00131] Embodiment 22. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant and/or a wetter agent. [00132] Embodiment 23. The composition of any one of the previous embodiments, wherein the composition humidity is below 20%.

[00133] Embodiment 24. A method of using a composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance, wherein the method comprises a specialty usage.

[00134] Embodiment 24. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the specialty usage comprises increased nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability.

[00135] Embodiment 26. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the nutrient comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, non-essential nutrients, and/or micronutrients.

[00136] Embodiment 27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the non-essential nutrients comprise titanium, selenium, and/or silicon.

EXAMPLES

[00137] The disclosure is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed as limiting this disclosure in scope or spirit to the specific procedures herein described. It is to be understood that the examples are provided to illustrate certain embodiments and that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is intended thereby. It is to be further understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure and/or scope of the appended claims.

Example 1. Evaluation of the effect of compositions of the present invention in Corn Crop

[00138] Several exemplary compositions and methods for use thereof were designed. The details of the treatments using the tested compositions are summarized below in Table 1. Exemplary composition BW Fl comprises Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (1.25E+09 CFU/mL, or colony forming units per milliliter), Bacillus subtilis (1.25E+09 CFU/mL), Bacillus pumilus (1.25E+09 CFU/mL), and Bacillus licheniformis (1.25E+09 CFU/mL), for a total Bacillus content of 5.00E+09 CFU/mL. Exemplary composition BW F2 comprises Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (1.25E+09 CFU/mL), Bacillus pumilus (1.25E+09 CFU/mL), and Bacillus licheniformis (1.25E+09 CFU/mL), for a total Bacillus content of 3.75E+09 CFU/mL. The compositions of the present invention may be made by any of the standard processes known in the art. Table 1 - Composition and treatment details.

* kg/ha refers to kilograms per hectare

** N = nitrogen

[00139] In one experiment, the efficacy of combinations of Humic-S (humic substance) and/or BiOWiSH® Crop Liquid containing biofertilizers (fertilizers containing Bacillus, as described herein) in combination with urea on a corn crop was evaluated (See Table 1), with a focus on assessing the effect on growth and yield of the corn under field conditions. This experiment was conducted in a typical field with an alluvial soil type with known fertility level in order to compare a farmer standard fertilizer program using urea with the treatment conditions that included BiOWiSH Technologies Formulations of Urea coated with BiOWiSH® Crop Liquid biofertilizers and/or Humic-S. Rates tested were 100% and 75% of N, as defined below, with a uniform application phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer across all treatment conditions. Pest and disease control and irrigation management practices were implemented when necessary following the standard processes known in the art.

[00140] The eleven treatments used in this experiment were:

(Tl) Untreated control (UTC) FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea (sometimes referred to as 100% N, i.e. with urea applied at 200 kg nitrogen (N) per hectare), (T2) FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea + HUMIC S, (T3) FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea BW Fl,

(T4) FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea HUMIC S BW Fl,

(T5) FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea BW F2,

(T6) FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea HUMIC S BW F2,

(T7) FERTILITY LEVEL - 75% Urea (sometimes referred to as 75% N, i.e. with urea applied at 150 kg N per hectare) HUMIC S,

(T8) FERTILITY LEVEL - 75% Urea BW Fl,

(T9) FERTILITY LEVEL - 75% Urea HUMIC S BW Fl, (T10) FERTILITY LEVEL - 75% Urea BW F2, and

(Tl 1) FERTILITY LEVEL - 75% Urea, HUMIC S BW F2.

[00141] Three applications were made at 13, 21 and 40 days after sowing, when the indicated number of nodes on the plants were apparent (see Table 1).

[00142] Soil samples were collected prior to sowing and analyzed for several parameters to assess the nutrient status. Vegetation index (ND VI) was recorded at the 4 nodes and 6 nodes stages using an ND VI Green Seeker Trimble ND VI meter (Model PSAI10R-050Q) and measuring the index on a randomly selected 10 plants in each plot. Plant stand count was observed at 4 and 6 nodes stage and at harvesting. Additionally, soil samples up to 12 inch and 12-24 inch depth were collected at silking stage for analysis of soil pH, organic matter content and nitrate nitrogen content. Plant materials (leaf sample opposite and below the ear) were collected at silking stage and analyzed for nutrients content such as N, P, K, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe)_, and boron (B). Soil and corn grain sample were also analyzed at harvest stage for several parameters. Corn grain yield was recorded at harvest. [00143] The effect of treatments on corn yield was assessed. The yield of corn ranged between 6.85 to 7.97 kg/plot (Table 2 and Figure 1). The differences in yield observed among treatments compared to the yield of untreated control clearly demonstrate the effect of the formulation that included Humic-S with urea coated with BiOWiSH® Crop Liquid containing biofertilizers on yield of corn. The treatments FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea HUMIC S BW Fl (T4), FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea BW F2 (T5) and FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea HUMIC S BW F2 (T6) showed relatively much higher yields than the other treatments. The yield performance of all the treatments of BiOWiSH products was significantly higher than the control with urea alone. Among the BiOWiSH treatments, BW Fl in combination with urea FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% + HUMIC S (T4), BW F2 + Urea FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% (T5) and BW F2 with Urea FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% + HUMIC S (T6) are suitable for improving productivity of corn. Further, application of N at the 100% level was found to be superior to that of N at the 75% level. However, even at 75% level of N, use of BiOWiSH products containing BW Fl and BW F2 resulted in significantly higher corn yields than the products without BW Fl and BW F2.

Table 2 - Effect of Treatments on Yield of Corn.

CD: Critical difference. Means followed by different alphabets are significantly different from each other. [00144] The effect of the various treatments on nutrient use efficiency (NUE, also referred to as fertilizer use efficiency, or FUE) was also assessed. Based on the yield data generated in the experiment, NUE parameters were calculated in order to understand the effect of the various treatments on NUE ofN, P and K. The results obtained are presented in Table 3. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N supplied through different test items revealed that treatments containing BW Fl and BW F2 was generally superior both at 100% and at 75% N rate. The partial factor productivity (PFP) revealed that N applied at 75% N rate was superior to 100% N rate. Considering that uniform rate of P and K were applied to all treatments, the trend of agronomic efficiency (AE) and partial factor productivity (PFP) parameters of P and K presented in Table 3 is similar to the yield trend observed in Table 2.

Table 3 - Effect of Treatments on Agronomic Efficiency and Partial Factor Productivity.

*AE = Agronomic Efficiency relative to T1 = (Yield in treatment Tx - Yield in Tl)/Nutrient applied

**PFP - Partial factor productivity = Yield/Nutrient applied

[00145] The soil analysis results indicated that the soil was alkaline and saline, and the availabilities of major and secondary nutrients were considered adequate. The application of different treatments did not show any substantial difference in the levels of different parameters in the soil analysis.

[00146] The leaf analysis results indicated that among the major nutrients, N and K levels were relatively low in the leaf, while Ca, Mg and S levels were more than adequate. Despite low availability of micronutrients in the soil, their levels in leaf indicated that the crop was able to uptake effectively these nutrients from the soils. [00147] The grain quality parameters analyzed, such as moisture, crude protein, ash, crude fiber and crude fat, indicated that the different treatments did not show any substantial difference in the levels of different parameters in grain quality.

[00148] Application of FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea HUMIC-S BW Fl, FERTILITY LEVEL- 100% Urea HUMIC S BW F2 and FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% Urea BW F2 resulted in higher yields compared to the other treatments, including the control. Further, application of BiOWiSH products of urea containing BW Fl and BW F2 at 100% N rate was superior to that at 75% N rate. The agronomic efficiency of N supplied through different test compositions revealed that the use of BiOWiSH products containing BW Fl and BW F2 was generally superior both at 100% and at 75 % N rate . The partial factor productivity revealed that N applied at 75% N rate was superior to 100% N rate. This appears to reflect the law of diminishing returns after a certain level of N application, in the soil conditions under which the crop was grown.

[00149] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the results demonstrate that compositions of the present invention resulted in the improvement of the crop yield of com. The improvement in crop yield of com may be the culmination of efficient utilization of applied N through these compositions as well as other applied/available nutrients in the soil. Further, without wishing to be bound by theory, the results related to the yield of com grain demonstrated the significant positive effect of different compositions of the present inventions (BiOWiSH Technologies Formulation + Humic-S with urea coated with BiOWiSH® Crop Liquid containing biofertilizers). Additionally, application of Urea FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% + HUMIC S + BW Fl recorded significantly maximum grain yield followed by Urea FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% + BW F2 and Urea FERTILITY LEVEL - 100% + HUMIC S + BW F2. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the results demonstrate that BiOWiSH products of Urea containing BW Fl and BW F2 are suitable for improving the productivity of com.

Equivalents

[00150] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives, modifications and other variations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives, modifications and variations are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A composition comprising at least one bacterial additive and at least one humic substance.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises endospore forming Bacillota.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, or Lysinibacillus spp.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises a Bacillus species.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), B. licheniformis (BL), B. megaterium (BM) and B. thuringiensis (BT), or any combination thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises a combination of B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. subtilis (BS), B. pumilus (BP), and B. licheniformis (BL).

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises a combination of B. amyloliquefaciens (BA), B. pumilus (BP) and B. licheniformis (BL).

8. The composition of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises endospores, optionally wherein the endospores are suspended in a solution.

9. The composition of any one of the previous claims, wherein the at least one humic substance comprises humic acid, fulvic acid and/or humin.

10. The composition of any one of the previous claims, wherein the composition further comprises a mineral fertilizer.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the mineral fertilizer comprises urea.

12. The composition of claim 10 or 11, wherein the mineral fertilizer comprises phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

13. The composition of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the composition is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated on a dry fertilizer.

14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the liquid fertilizer or dry fertilizer comprises nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) or any combination thereof.

15. The composition of claim 13, wherein the liquid fertilizer comprises urea, ammonium nitrate, polyphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, blended and compounded nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (“NPK”), or any combination thereof.

16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the liquid fertilizer comprises a flowable suspension for fertigation, or any fertilizer capable of being dissolved.

17. The composition of claim 13, wherein the dry fertilizer comprises urea, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, super simple phosphate, super triple phosphate, potassium nitrate, potassium sulfate, blended and compounded NPK, or any combination thereof.

18. The composition of any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is coated onto the seeds of a plant.

19. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance present at a ratio in the range of 1 : 10 to 10: 1, optionally wherein the at least one bacterial additive and the at least one humic substance are present at a ratio of 1:5.

20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises Bacillus spp, Brevibacillus spp, Paenibacillus spp, Lysinibacillus spp, or a combination thereof.

21. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein agronomic efficiency and/or partial factor productivity of the composition are increased relative to an otherwise equivalent composition comprising the at least one bacterial additive without the humic substance.

22. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition improves crop nutrient assimilation, optimizes yield potential, enhances root development, improves plant vigor, enhances native microbial activity in the soil, improves soil productivity and/or improves soil health compared to plants that have not been treated with the composition, or plants that have been treated with an otherwise equivalent composition comprising the at least one bacterial additive without the humic substance.

23. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition increases survivability of the bacterial additive.

24. The composition of any one of claims 13-23, wherein the composition increases: a) calcium stability of calcium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; b) magnesium stability of magnesium contained on the coated dry fertilizer; c) manganese stability of manganese contained on the coated dry fertilizer; d) nitrogen stability of nitrogen contained on the coated dry fertilizer; e) phosphorus stability of the phosphorus contained on the coated dry fertilizer; f) zinc crop uptake when applied with zinc contained on the coated dry fertilizer; and/or g) iron crop uptake when applied with iron contained on the coated dry fertilizer.

25. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition improves calcium, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, potassium, iron, and/or zinc plant uptake in most soils.

26. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition increases survivability of a bacterial spore on a hostile surface.

27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the hostile surface comprises very high pH (basic), very low pH (acidic), very high level of chemicals that inhibit life, high levels of incomplete reactions that produced chemicals, urea, single super phosphate, and/or super triple phosphate.

28. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises a surfactant and/or a wetter agent.

29. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition humidity is below 20%.

30. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises one or more micronutrients.

31. The composition of claim 30, wherein the composition is blended with a liquid fertilizer or coated onto a dry fertilizer.

32. The composition of claim 31, wherein the composition further comprises an agent that drives modifications to a microbial phenotype.

33. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises B. amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, and B. licheniformis at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 : 1.

34. The composition of any one of claims 1-32, and wherein the at least one bacterial additive comprises B. amyloliquefaciens, B. pumilus, and B. licheniformis at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1.

35. A composition comprising: a) a liquid component comprising the composition of any one of the preceding claims; and b) a carrier component comprising a mineral fertilizer or seed.

36. A method of using the composition any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises a specialty usage.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the specialty usage comprises increasing nutrient use efficiency and/or crop nutrient availability.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the nutrient comprises nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, non-essential nutrients, and/or micronutrients.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the non-essential nutrients comprise titanium, selenium, and/or silicon.