Agrium, Inc.

Elizabeth M Tipping

In accordance with the present invention it has been found that the growth of conifer seedlings in the greenhouses and in the field can be enhanced when inocula comprising selected bacterial strain are employed. In particular, bacterial strains Arthrobacter sp. 44-9 ATCC 55035 and Pseudomonas fluorescencs 36-43 ATCC 55034. Bacterial strains can promote the growth of conifer seedlings at cold temperature and mildly acidic environments characteristic of conifer soils.

Compositions for enhancement of conifer seedling growth comprising

A method for growing a conifer seedling includes selecting and treating a conifer seed, prior to planting thereof, with a Coryneform, Pseudomonas or Serratia bacterial strain that enhances the root growth of that conifer seedling. Additionally, transplanted conifer seedlings may be grown by treating their roots with root growth-enhancing Coryneform, Pseudomonas and Serratia strains and conifer seeds may be modified by treatment with those strains.

Growing community of inventors

Georgetown, Canada

Elizabeth M Tipping