SEQUENCE LISTING STATEMENT

A sequence listing containing the file named 53907_153532_SL.txt which is 14,824,692 bytes (measured in MS-Windows®) and created on Jun. 10, 2016, comprises 9,188 sequences, is provided herewith via the USPTO's EFS system, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

One-carbon organic compounds such as methane and methanol are found extensively in nature, and are utilized as carbon sources by bacteria classified as methanotrophs and methylotrophs. Methanotrophic bacteria include species in the generaMethylobacter, Methylomonas, Methylomicrobium, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylocystis, Methylosphaera, Methylocaldum, andMethylocella(Lidstrom, 2006). Methanotrophs possess the enzyme methane monooxygenase that incorporates an atom of oxygen from O2into methane, forming methanol. All methanotrophs are obligate one-carbon utilizers that are unable to use compounds containing carbon-carbon bonds. Methylotrophs, on the other hand, can also utilize more complex organic compounds, such as organic acids, higher alcohols, sugars, and the like. Thus, methylotrophic bacteria are facultative methylotrophs. Methylotrophic bacteria include species in the generaMethylobacterium, Hyphomicrobium, Methylophilus, Methylobacillus, Methylophaga, Aminobacter, Methylorhabdus, Methylopila, Methylosulfonomonas, Marinosulfonomonas, Paracoccus, Xanthobacter, Ancylobacter(also known asMicrocyclus),Thiobacillus, Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Acetobacter, Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Arthobacter, andNocardia(Lidstrom, 2006).

Most methylotrophic bacteria of the genusMethylobacteriumare pink-pigmented. They are conventionally referred to as PPFM bacteria, being pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs. Green (2005, 2006) identified twelve validated species in the genusMethylobacterium, specificallyM. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, andM. zatmanii. However,M. nidulansis a nitrogen-fixingMethylobacteriumthat is not a PPFM (Sy et al., 2001).Methylobacteriumare ubiquitous in nature, being found in soil, dust, fresh water, sediments, and leaf surfaces, as well as in industrial and clinical environments (Green, 2006).

Fusarium graminearumis the causal agent ofFusariumhead blight (FHB) on wheat, barley, and other cereals. This pathogen is also responsible for ear and stalk rot in corn. In addition to causing significant reductions in yield and grain quality,F. graminearumproduces harmful mycotoxins that are a major concern in the animal feed industry. Furthermore, there is an increasing problem in farming with fungal pathogens such asF. graminearumbecoming resistant to a wide range of chemical fungicides. Thus there exists a need in the farming and animal feed industries for the development of effective new approaches for control of fungal pathogens.

Rhizoctonia solaniis a polyphagous basidiomycete fungus, with a broad host range that encompasses many economically important monocot and dicot plants.R. solaniis known primarily as a damping off pathogen because it attacks young seedlings, either preventing their emergence from the soil or killing them shortly after emergence. This soil-borne pathogen persists for years in soil both by surviving as a saprophyte and by forming dormant survival structures known as sclerotia. Aside from fumigation, which is often not feasible due to expense and environmental concerns, multi-year rotations away from host crops, chemical seed treatment, and cultural practices that promote plant health are preferred methods of disease management. None of these treatments, however, is completely effective, particularly in cool, wet years that promote pathogen growth and stress seedling health.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorumis a polyphagous ascomycete fungus, with a host range that encompasses thousands of dicot plants. White mold, caused byS. sclerotiorum, on soybean and other leguminous crops is of particular agronomic importance. Under cool, moist environmental conditions, this disease causes premature senescence and drastically reduced yields. There is no available complete genetic resistance to white mold and partial resistance is only marginally effective. Further, fungicide applications specifically for white mold are only applied in years when disease is highly likely and must be applied within a narrow window to provide effective protection.

Sudden death syndrome of soybean first appeared in Arkansas in 1971 and has since spread to states across the Midwestern region of the United States (Rupe et al. 1991). The disease is caused by the soil-borne fungusFusarium virguliforme, previously known asFusarium solanif. sp. glycines, and is exacerbated by conditions of high soil moisture and soil compaction (Ringler, 1995; Roy et al. 1997). Symptoms of SDS include a mosaic-like appearance of leaf tissue in which main veins remain green while other leaf areas become chlorotic or necrotic, reddish discoloration of xylem tissue, blackening or rotting of root tissue, and significant reductions to overall plant health and yield. From 1994-2010, soybean yield losses to diseases caused byFusariumspecies were estimated at c. 36.2 million bushels/year and the majority of these losses were attributed toF. virguliforme(Wrather et al. 2010).

Lack of effective disease management measures is the primary reason that the majority of soybean yield losses toFusariumspp. during this time can be attributed toF. virguliforme. Due to the soilborne nature of this disease, there are few options to eradicate the pathogen once it has been introduced. Consequently, cultural methods that promote plant health, resistant cultivars, and seed treatment are preferred SDS management tactics. None of these tactics provides complete control of the disease, and options for resistant cultivars and seed treatments labeled for SDS are limited. Further, iLevo (fluopyram; Bayer CropScience), the primary seed treatment option for SDS, is expensive and has a negative impact on early-season plant health. Applications of PPFM bacteria in conjunction with other strategies to combat SDS provide an attractive method for improving suppression of this economically important disease and combating the significant yield losses to which it contributes.

SUMMARY

Provided herein are compositions comprisingMethylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus, methods of using the compositions to control fungal infections of plants, plant parts, and plants derived therefrom, and methods of making the compositions. SuchMethylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus are in certain instances referred to herein as “Methylobacteriumthat inhibit plant pathogenic fungi” or, in certain contexts, as simply “Methylobacterium”. In certain embodiments,Methylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus can be distinguished from otherMethylobacteriumthat do not inhibit plant pathogenic fungi by assaying for the ability of theMethylobacteriumto inhibit fungal disease in a plant or isolated plant part.

Provided herein are compositions comprising a mono- or co-culture ofMethylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus and an agriculturally acceptable excipient and/or an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumsp. is selected from the group consisting ofM. aminovorans, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. nodulans, M. phyllosphaerae, M. thiocyanatum, andM. oryzae. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis notM. radiotoleransorM. oryzae. In certain embodiments, the plant pathogenic fungus is selected from the group consisting of anAlternariasp., anAscochytasp., anAspergillussp., aBipolarissp., aBotrytissp., aBremiasp., aCercosporasp., aCochliobolussp., aColletotrichumsp., aDiplodiasp., anErysiphesp., anExserohilumsp., aFusariumsp.,Gaeumanomycessp.,Macrophominasp., aMagnaporthesp., aNectriasp., aPeronosporasp., aPhakopsorasp., aPhialophorasp., aPhomasp., aPhymatotrichumsp., aPhytophthorasp., aPlasmoparasp., aPucciniasp., aPodosphaerasp., aPyrenophorasp., aPyriculariasp, aPythiumsp., aRhizoctoniasp., aSclerotiumsp., aSclerotiniasp., aSeptoriasp., aStagonosporasp., aThielaviopsissp., anUncinulasp, anUstilagosp., aVenturiasp., and aVerticilliumsp. In certain embodiments, theFusariumsp. is selected from the group consisting ofFusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium virguliforme, andFusarium solani. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the composition comprises a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture ofMethylobacteriumis adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the plant pathogenic fungus is aRhizoctoniasp. or aSclerotiniasp. In certain embodiments, theRhizoctoniasp. isRhizoctonia solaniorRhizoctonia cerealis. In certain embodiments, theSclerotiniasp. isSclerotinia sclerotiorumorSclerotinia homoeocarpa. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a colloid formed by the solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture ofMethylobacteriumis adhered thereto and a liquid. In certain embodiments, the colloid is a gel. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the composition is an emulsion. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0066 (NRRL B-50940), NLS0089 (NRRL B-50933), a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0017 (NRRL B-50931), or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the composition further comprisesMethylobacteriumstrain NLS0020 (NRRL B-50930) or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0066, NLS0089, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0017, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0020, a combination of NLS0089 and NLS0020, or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 and the plant pathogenic fungus is aRhizoctoniasp. or aSclerotiniasp. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS066, NLS066 and NLS0017, NLS0089, or NLS0089 and NLS0020 and the plant pathogenic fungus isFusarium graminearum, Cercospora zeae-maydis, orColletotrichum graminicola. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089, or NLS0089 and NLS0020 and the plant pathogenic fungus isSeptoria tritici, Stagonospora nodorum, Pythiumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, aFusariumspp.,Magnaportha grisea, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Microdochium nivale, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora kikuchii, Fusariumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium virguliforme, Pythiumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, Gibberella zeae, or aPythiumspp. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one polymorphic DNA element or orthologous gene that is present inMethylobacteriumisolate NLS0066 but that is absent from one or moreMethylobacteriumisolates NLS0020 and NLS0037 that do not inhibitFusarium graminearuminfections of plants. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one gene that is orthologous to, or that has at least 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% sequence identity to, at least one gene selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 7279-9187, and 9188. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one gene that is orthologous to, or that encodes a protein having at least 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% sequence identity to, at least one protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2585-4593, and 4594. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the plant pathogen fungus that is inhibited can be in its anamorphic form, its teleomorphic form, or in both its anamorphic form and its teleomorphic forms. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the composition can comprise a fungal inhibitory concentration of the mono- or co-culture ofMethylobacterium. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the composition can further comprise an antifungal compound selected from the group consisting of an azole, dithiocarbamate, strobilurin, and benzimidazole. In certain embodiments, the azole is ipconazole. Use of any of the aforementioned compositions for coating or partially coating a plant part (e.g., a seed) to inhibit growth of any of the aforementioned plant pathogenic fungi is also provided herein.

Also provided are plants or plant parts that are at least partially coated with any of the aforementioned compositions comprising a mono- or co-culture ofMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the at least partially coated plant or plant part is a cereal plant or cereal plant part. In certain embodiments, the at least partially coated cereal plant is selected from the group consisting of a rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, sorghum, oat, and rye plant. In certain embodiments, the at least partially coated cereal plant part is selected from the group consisting of a rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, sorghum, oat, and rye plant part. In certain embodiments the at least partially coated plant or plant part is a dicot plant part. In certain embodiments, the dicot plant or plant part is a soybean, peanut, or tomato plant part. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned plants or plant parts, theMethylobacteriumin the composition was obtained from a plant genus, plant species, plant sub-species, or plant cultivar that is distinct from the genus, species, sub-species, or cultivar of the plant or plant part that is coated with the composition. Also provided are processed plant products that comprise a detectable amount of any of theMethylobacteriumof any of the aforementioned compositions. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumthat is detected was obtained from a plant genus, plant species, plant sub-species, or plant cultivar that is distinct from the genus, species, sub-species, or cultivar used to obtain the processed plant product. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS066, NLS066 and NLS0017, NLS0089, or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isFusarium graminearumand the plant or plant part is a wheat plant or plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS066, NLS066 and NLS0017, NLS0089, or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isCercospora zeae-maydis, orColletotrichum graminicola, and the plant or plant part is a corn plant or corn plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isSeptoria tritici, Stagonospora nodorum, Pythiumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, aFusariumspp.,Magnaportha grisea, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Microdochium nivale, and the plant or plant part is a wheat plant or wheat plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isSclerotinia sclerotiorum, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora kikuchii, Fusariumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium virguliforme, Pythiumspp., and the plant or plant part is a soybean plant or soybean plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 or NLS0089 and NLS0020 and the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited is aFusariumspp.,Pythiumspp., orGibberella zeae, and the plant or plant part is a corn plant or corn plant part. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant part comprises a fungal inhibitory amount of theMethylobacterium. In certain embodiments, a fungal inhibitory amount of theMethylobacteriumapplied to a plant part (e.g., a seed) is about 1.0×103, 1.0×104, or 1.0×105to about 1.0×107or 1.0×108CFUs of PPFM bacteria/plant part (e.g., a seed). In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis heterologous to the plant or plant part. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned plant parts, the plant part is a leaf, a stem, a flower, a root, a tuber, or a seed.

Also provided are methods of making any of the aforementioned compositions containing theMethylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus that comprise combining aMethylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus with an agriculturally acceptable excipient and/or with an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumsp. is selected from the group consisting ofM. aminovorans, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. nodulans, M. phyllosphaerae, M thiocyanatum, andM. oryzae. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumis notM. radiotoleransorM. oryzae. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0066, NLS0089, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0017, or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the composition further comprisesMethylobacteriumstrain NLS0020 or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0066, NLS0089, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0017, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0020, a combination of NLS0089 and NLS0020, or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant part is a soybean plant or soybean plant part. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of a rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, sorghum, oat, and rye plant or plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 and the plant pathogenic fungus is aRhizoctoniasp. or aSclerotiniasp. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one polymorphic DNA element or orthologous gene that is present in NLS0066 but that is absent from one or moreMethylobacteriumisolates NLS0020 and/or NLS0037 that do not inhibitFusarium graminearuminfections of plants. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one gene that is orthologous to, or that has at least 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% sequence identity to, at least one gene selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 7279-9187, and 9188. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one gene that is orthologous to, or that encodes a protein having at least 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% sequence identity to, at least one protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2585-4593, and 4594. In certain embodiments of the methods, the plant pathogenic fungus is selected from the group consisting of anAlternariasp., anAscochytasp., anAspergillussp., aBipolarissp., aBotrytissp., aBremiasp., aCercosporasp., aCochliobolussp., aColletotrichumsp., aDiplodiasp., anErysiphesp., anExserohilumsp., aFusariumsp.,Gaeumanomycessp.,Macrophominasp., aMagnaporthesp., aNectriasp., aPeronosporasp., aPhakopsorasp., aPhialophorasp., aPhomasp., aPhymatotrichumsp., aPhytophthorasp., aPlasmoparasp., aPucciniasp., aPodosphaerasp., aPyrenophorasp., aPyriculariasp, aPythiumsp., aRhizoctoniasp., aSclerotiumsp., aSclerotiniasp., aSeptoriasp., aStagonosporasp., aThielaviopsissp., anUncinulasp, anUstilagosp., aVenturiasp., and aVerticilliumsp. In certain embodiments of the methods, the plant pathogenic fungus is aFusariumsp. In certain embodiments of the methods, theFusariumsp. is selected from the group consisting ofFusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium virguliforme, andFusarium solani. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the mono- or co-culture ofMethylobacteriumis adhered to a solid substance. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumthat is adhered to the solid substance is combined with a liquid to form a composition that is a colloid. In certain embodiments of the methods, the colloid is a gel. In certain embodiments of the methods, the mono- or co-culture ofMethylobacteriumadhered to the solid substance is provided by culturing theMethylobacteriumin the presence of the solid substance. In certain embodiments of the methods, the composition comprises an emulsion. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumis provided by culturing theMethylobacteriumin an emulsion. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the plant pathogen fungus that is inhibited can be in its anamorphic form, its teleomorphic form, or in both its anamorphic and teleomorphic forms. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the composition can further comprise an antifungal compound selected from the group consisting of an azole, dithiocarbamate, strobilurin, and benzimidazole. In certain embodiments, the azole is ipconazole.

Also provided are methods for controlling a plant pathogenic fungus that comprise applying any of the aforementioned compositions that contain aMethylobacteriumthat inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus to a plant or a plant part in an amount that provides for inhibition of infection by the plant pathogenic fungus in the plant, plant part, or a plant obtained therefrom relative to infection of a control plant, plant part, or plant obtained therefrom that had not received an application of the composition. In certain embodiments of the methods, the application of the composition provides for at least 40%, 50%, 75%, at least 85%, or at least 95% inhibition of a plant pathogenic fungal infection in the plant, plant part, or a plant derived therefrom relative to infection of the control plant, plant part, or plant obtained therefrom. In certain embodiments of the methods, the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a leaf, a stem, a flower, a root, a tuber, and a seed. In certain embodiments of the methods, the method further comprises the step of harvesting at least one plant part selected from the group consisting of a leaf, a stem, a flower, a root, a tuber, or a seed from the plant or plant part. In certain embodiments of the methods, the mycotoxin levels in the plant part are reduced by at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, or at least 95% relative to a plant part obtained from the control plant, plant part, or plant obtained therefrom. In certain embodiments of the aforementioned methods, the method further comprises obtaining a processed food or feed composition from the plant or plant part. In certain embodiments of the aforementioned methods, the mycotoxin levels in the processed food or feed composition are reduced by at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 85%, or at least 95% relative to a processed food or feed composition obtained from the control plant, plant part, or plant obtained therefrom. In certain embodiments, a fungal inhibitory amount of theMethylobacteriumis applied to the plant part. In certain embodiments, the fungal inhibitory amount of theMethylobacteriumapplied to a plant part (e.g., a seed) is about 1.0×103, 1.0×104, or 1.0×105to about 1.0×107, 1.0×108, 1.0×109, or 1.0×1010CFUs ofMethylobacterium/plant part (e.g., a seed). In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis heterologous to the plant or plant part. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the plant part is a leaf, a stem, a flower, a root, a tuber, or a seed. In certain embodiments of the methods, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0066, NLS0089, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0017, or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the composition further comprisesMethylobacteriumstrain NLS0020 or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0066, NLS0089, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0017, a combination of NLS0066 and NLS0020, a combination of NLS0089 and NLS0020, or a derivative thereof. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant part is a soybean plant or soybean plant part. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant part is selected from the group consisting of a rice, wheat, corn, barley, millet, sorghum, oat, and rye plant or plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 and the plant pathogenic fungus is aRhizoctoniaspp. or aSclerotiniaspp. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS066, NLS066 and NLS0017, NLS0089, or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isFusarium graminearumand the plant or plant part is a wheat plant or plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS066, NLS066 and NLS0017, NLS0089, or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isCercospora zeae-maydis, orColletotrichum graminicola, and the plant or plant part is a corn plant or corn plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isSeptoria tritici, Stagonospora nodorum, Pythiumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, aFusariumspp.,Magnaportha grisea, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Microdochium nivale, and the plant or plant part is a wheat plant or wheat plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 or NLS0089 and NLS0020, the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited isSclerotinia sclerotiorum, Cercospora sojina, Cercospora kikuchii, Fusariumspp.,Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium virguliforme, Pythiumspp., and the plant or plant part is a soybean plant or soybean plant part. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis NLS0089 or NLS0089 and NLS0020 and the plant pathogenic fungus that is inhibited is aFusariumspp.,Pythiumspp., orGibberella zeae, and the plant or plant part is a corn plant or corn plant part.

Also provided are isolatedMethylobacteriumthat inhibit growth of a plant pathogenic fungus. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumhas at least one polymorphic DNA element or orthologous gene that is present in NLS0066 but that is absent from one or moreMethylobacteriumisolates NLS0020 and/or NLS0037 that do not inhibitFusarium graminearuminfections of plants. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one gene that is orthologous to, or that has at least 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% sequence identity to, at least one gene selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 7279-9187, and 9188. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumsp. that inhibits growth of a plant pathogenic fungus has at least one gene that is orthologous to, or that encodes a protein having at least 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, or 100% sequence identity to, at least one protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2585-4593, and 4594. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis selected from the group consisting ofM. aminovorans, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. nodulans, M. phyllosphaerae, M. thiocyanatum, andM. oryzae. In certain embodiments, theMethylobacteriumis notM. radiotoleransorM. oryzae. In certain embodiments, the plant pathogenic fungus is selected from the group consisting of anAlternariasp., anAscochytasp., anAspergillussp., aBipolarissp., aBotrytissp., aBremiasp., aCercosporasp., aCochliobolussp., aColletotrichumsp., aDiplodiasp., anErysiphesp., anExserohilumsp., aFusariumsp.,Gaeumanomycessp.,Macrophominasp., aMagnaporthesp., aNectriasp., aPeronosporasp., aPhakopsorasp., aPhialophorasp., aPhomasp., aPhymatotrichumsp., aPhytophthorasp., aPlasmoparasp., aPucciniasp., aPodosphaerasp., aPyrenophorasp., aPyriculariasp, aPythiumsp., aRhizoctoniasp., aSclerotiumsp., aSclerotiniasp., aSeptoriasp., aStagonosporasp., aThielaviopsissp., anUncinulasp, anUstilagosp., aVenturiasp., and aVerticilliumsp. In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the plant pathogen fungi that is inhibited can be in its anamorphic form, its teleomorphic form, or in both its anamorphic and teleomorphic forms.

