Reivindicaciones

1. Use of a microorganism of the species Colletotrichum tofieldiae for promoting vegetative plant growth. 2. A method for promoting vegetative plant growth comprising the step of contacting the roots of a plant or the seeds of a plant with the microorganism Colletotrichum tofieldiae. 3. The use of claim 1 or the method of claim 2 wherein the microorganism is in the form of spores. 4. The use of claim 1 or the method of claim 2 wherein the microorganism is in the form of hyphae or sclerotia. 5. The use of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein the microorganism is applied to the plants by contacting plant seeds with the microorganism. 6. The use of claim 5 wherein the microorganism is contained in a composition being in fluid form, in a paste-like form or in the form of a powder. 7. The use of claims 1, 3 or 4 wherein the microorganism is applied to the roots of plants. 8. The use of any one of claims 1 and 3 to 7 or the method of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the plant is grown under phosphate-limiting conditions. 9. The use of claims 1 and 3 to 7 or the method of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the plant is grown under nitrogen-limiting conditions. 10. A plant vegetative growth promoting composition containing the microorganism Colletotrichum tofieldiae and optionally a carrier. 11. The composition of claim 10 which is in the form of an emulsion. 12. The composition of claim 10 which is in the form of a powder. 13. A plant seed coated with the microorganism Colletotrichum tofieldiae.