Provided herein are isolated yield enhancing Methylobacterium sp., compositions comprising yield enhancing Methylobacterium sp., methods of using the compositions to increase yield of soybean plants, plant parts, and soybean plants derived therefrom, and methods of making the compositions. Such yield enhancing Methylobacterium sp. are in certain instances referred to herein as simply “Methylobacterium”. In certain embodiments, yield enhancing Methylobacterium sp. can be distinguished from other yield neutral or yield negative Methylobacterium by assaying the Methylobacterium sp. for improved yield in a controlled environment (i.e. a growth chamber or greenhouse) or in a field test in comparison to untreated control plants.
