CELLULOSIC COMPOUNDS AND AGRICULTURAL USES THEREOF

The present disclosure relates to an agricultural composition comprising: a) plant growth promoting Gram-negative bacteria; b) a desiccation protectant selected from the group consisting of: a carboxyalkylcellulose or derivative or salt thereof, a hydroxyalkylcellulose or derivative or salt thereof, an alginate or derivative or salt thereof, trehalose or a derivative or salt thereof; tamarind seed gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, tara gum, guar gum, pectin, pullulan, psyllium seed gum, and carrageenan; and combinations thereof; and c) an agriculturally acceptable carrier. The disclosure also provides a method of increasing resistance to desiccation in plant growth promoting Gram-negative bacteria, the method comprising adding a desiccation protectant to the plant growth promoting Gram-negative bacteria.