Abstract: A novel method of producing a plant with a marker closely linked to a target locus, in particular a nuclear male sterile target locus, is described. The method involves transformation of a group of plants in order to introduce a marker into each plant, and isolation of a plant with the marker closely linked to a target locus. The markers include visible markers and dominant conditional lethal markers. The method is of particular use for hybrid seed production where the target locus is a nuclear male sterile locus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing plants with labdane production in Nicotiana which comprises subjecting plans to somaclonal variation, and screening for plants having higher than average labdane content. The invention also provides improved Nicotiana sp. plant lines producing at least about 800 mg of cis-abienol or sclareol per kg of fresh plant weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving stick yield of a celery line which comprises culturing an explant on a first medium containing at least one auxin to produce callus, culturing the callus on a second medium without growth regulators to produce embryos, growing embryos unit mature plants are obtained and recovering from the mature plants variants exhibiting a stick yield of at least about 25% over stick yield of the parent line. Also provided are novel celery plants, having improved stick yield.

Abstract: Novel methods of improving freezing tolerance of organic materials through the use of antifreeze polypeptides is provided. These polypeptides increase the storage life of foodstuffs and biologics, as well as protect plant products, such as during growth. The antifreeze polypeptides, or their fusion proteins, may be produced chemically or by recombinant DNA techniques, and then purified for a variety of uses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new method for inserting heterologous genes into the genome of a bacteria using a combined plasmid. The combined plasmid provides a cis complementation of transposase genes and transposable elements. The method involves the homologous recombination of a carrier plasmid and a functions plasmid to form the combined plasmid. The carrier plasmid contains a transposable element which flanks a generic expression cassette. The functions plasmid comprises transposase genes which complement the transposable element on the carrier plasmid. The combined plasmid is then transferred to a recipient and the recipient is monitored for integration of the generic expression cassette into the genome. The combined plasmid is preferably created by an in vivo homologous recombination of the carrier and functions plasmids.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery that the prokaryotic enzyme, aminoglycoside 3"-adenyltransferase (AGAT), in particular as encoded by a bacterial aadA gene, is useful as a selectable marker for transformed plants. The enzyme conveys resistance to spectinomycin and streptomycin. Such markers are particularly advantageous because they are non-lethal, provide rapid visual identification of transformed cells and permit selection in media containing either spectinomycin or streptomycin. In addition, AGAT may be used as a selectable marker which differentiates by enabling survival on selective media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering variants of species of the genus Capsicum by in vitro culture which comprises:(a) culturing excised anthers on a first medium which promotes the initiation of embryos for a period of time and under conditions sufficient for initiation to occur;(b) culturing initiated anthers in a second medium which promotes embryo development, the second medium comprising a first solid layer containing an effective amount of activated charcoal and a second aqueous layer containing no charcoal for a period of time and under conditions sufficient for embryo development to occur; and(c) recovering variant plantlets from embryos so produced.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing plants exhibiting one or more desired phenotypic traits. In particular, transgenotes are selected that comprise a DNA segment operably linked to a promoter, wherein transcription products of the segment are substantially homologous to corresponding transcripts of endogenous flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods for transposon tagging as a route to plant gene isolation. The specific improvements comprise efficient means for preselecting plants which have undergone transposition. Through use of this preselection, it is possible to substantially reduce the number of plants which must be inspected to locate individuals having the transposon excised and inserted into a gene of interest. The result is a substantial savings in time, costs and efficiency associated with growing and screening large numbers of plants for tagging and isolation of a desired plant gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel plants of the species Nicotiana glutinosa, which produce unusually high levels of sclareol.

Abstract: Promoter sequences from the gene from the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase are disclosed. Expression cassettes containing a promoter sequence, a linker region, and a 3' fragment are also disclosed. The promotor sequences and expression cassettes are useful for expressing foreign genes to high levels in transformed plants.

Abstract: Novel bacteria strains are decribed which are created by the introduction of DNA encoding for the production of chitinase, an enzyme capable of degrading chitin present in fungi and nematodes. The strains have utility in producing chitinase for the purpose of inhibiting plant pathogens. Novel pathogen-resistant plants are also described which are created by introduction of DNA encoding for the production of chitinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a hybrid plant of a wild species and a cultivated species of Lycopersicon which comprises fusing protoplasts of the wild and cultivated species and recovering a hybrid plant from fused protoplasts under selective regeneration conditions wherein the wild species is incapable of regeneration under said conditions.

Abstract: The shelf life of root crops such as raw carrots can be substantially increased by subjecting the raw carrots to a process including (a) a mild heat treatment effective to reduce the microflora of the carrots but not to adversely affect the organoleptic qualities of the raw carrots, (b) the rapid cooling of the heat treated vegetable and placing the vegetable in a sealed container to prevent microbial recontamination and maintain the vegetable in a viable condition.

Abstract: Somatic hybrid plants of the genus Lycopersicon are produced by fusion of protoplasts of two species, one of which cannot be regenerated from protoplasts. This procedure enables the introduction of certain desirable traits of wild-type members of the genus into cultivated tomato species which do not regenerate from protoplasts.

Abstract: The shelf life of root crops such as raw carrots can be substantially increased by subjecting the raw carrots, in one embodiment, to a process including (a) a mild heat treatment effective to reduce the microflora of the carrots but not to adversely affect the organoleptic qualities of the raw carrots, (b) the rapid cooling of the heat treated vegetable and (c) placing the vegetable in a sealed container to prevent microbial recontamination and maintain the vegetable in a viable condition. In another embodiment, the process includes subjecting the carrots to a vacuum, breaking the vacuum in the presence of water and placing the vegetable in a sealed container to prevent microbial recontamination and maintain the vegetable in a viable condition.

Abstract: A method is presented which permits the induction and screening of variant plants which display a Non-Mendelian mode of inheritance. The process involves maintaining plant tissue in culture for a limited period of time in the presence of unusually high levels of growth regulators and screening regenerated plants recovered therefrom. Novel varities resulting from the process of the invention are described.

Abstract: A method is presented which permits the induction and screening of variant plants which display a Non-Mendelian mode of inheritance. The process involves maintaining plant tissue in culture for a limited period of time in the presence of unusually high levels of growth regulators and screening regenerated plants recovered therefrom.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for high frequency plant regeneration from somatic stem donor tissue of field grown Zea diploperennis, a diploid, perennial corn ancestor with high tillering capacity. This species is used as a parent in a maize improvement strategy to transfer the unique traits of high tillering and plantlet regeneration capacity into cultivated corn. After 3-4 subcultures of cultured somatic tissues on a primary medium, small callus fragments are transferred to a secondary medium devoid of the auxin, 2,4-D. After a few days, numerous shoots regenerate and develop into normal plantlets which are then separated and transferred to a tertiary medium for root development. The selection of somaclonal variants form cultured somatic cells of interspecific hybrids between corn and teosinte are used for the synthesis of unique breeding lines suited for development of improved corn varieties. A protocol for gene transfer employing recombinant DNA techniques is also described.

Abstract: The shelf life of root crops such as raw carrots can be substantially increased by subjecting the raw carrots to a process including (a) a mild heat treatment effective to reduce the microflora of the carrots but not to adversely affect the organoleptic qualities of the raw carrots, (b) the rapid cooling of the heat treated vegetable and placing the vegetable in a sealed container to prevent microbial recontamination and maintain the vegetable in a viable condition.