Abstract: The chemical compounds that induce expression of nodulation genes of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains have been identified. The isoflavones daidzein and genistein were identified as soybean exudate components that induce nod-genes. Other isoflavones, including 7-hydroxyisoflavone, 5,7-dihydroxyisoflavone, biochanin A, formononetin and prunetin, were also found to act as inducers. In addition, several flavonoid compounds including 4',7-dihydroxyflavone, apigenin, kaempferol and coumestrol, were also found to act as inducers. Nodulation inducing compositions and a method for selectively activating the expression of a gene under the control of a soybean exudate inducible promoter in B. japonicum in response to these inducer molecules are described. In addition, soybean inoculating compositions containing the nod-gene inducers and inoculating methods employing these compositions are described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses dicot cells containing monocot seed storage protein. Construction of genes encoding monocot seed storage proteins which are expressible in dicot cells and transformation of such genes into plant cells is also taught. Furthermore, methods and DNA molecules useful for producing plant cells containing monocot seed storage proteins are also disclosed. The invention is exemplified by combination of a 15 kD zein structural gene from Zea mays gene with a promoter and a polyadenylation site derived from a Phaseolus vulgaris phaseolin gene.

Abstract: A DNA sequence element, which activates or enhances expression of genes in plants has been identified and characterized. In particular, DNA segments isolated from the upstream region of the T-DNA 780 gene are capable of activating or increasing transcription levels of plant-expressible genes in recombinant DNA-containing plant tissue. The 780 gene transcription activator is useful in general for increasing the level of expression of a gene in a plant. In particular, such activators are useful in the construction of plant-expression complexes which contain a plant-expressible gene placed under the regulatory control of the activator. Such expression complexes can be introduced into plant tissue where the inserted gene is expressed.

Abstract: The sequence of the T.sub.L -DNA of Ri plasmids found in Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains HRI and A4 is disclosed. Sixteen open reading frames bounded by eukaryotic promoters, ribosome binding sites, and polyadenylation sites were found, five of which were observed to be transcripted in a developmentally and phenotypically regulated manner. The use of promoters and polyadenylation sites from pRi T.sub.L -DNA to control expression of heterologous foreign structural genes is taught, using as examples the structural genes for Phaseolus vulgaris storage protein (phaseolin), P. vulgaris lectin, a sweet protein (thaumatin), and Bacillus thuringiensis crystal protein. Vectors useful for manipulation of sequences of the structural genes and T-DNA are also provided.

Abstract: A recombinant DNA vector is provided as a universal transcription vector having a replication origin and selectable marker, a promoter and a transcription initiation site comprising a first transcribed nucleotide, wherein a restriction site is provided immediately adjacent to and upstream from the transcription initiation site so as to seprate transcribed from untranscribed nucleotides. A second restriction site may also be positioned downstream from the said restriction site. Precise control of initiation and termination of transcription is attained by this invention. Such control is important in assuring the effectiveness of transcribed RNA viral vectors.A high fidelity in vitro RNA transcription method is also provided utilizing vectors constructed from the universal transcription vector, or other vectors producing transcripts having no more than one extra 5' base. This method is capable of producing functional RNA transcripts, preferably comprising infectious viral sequences.

Abstract: Genetically manipulated soybeam varieties which display nitrate-tolerant nodulation and supernodulation are described. The soybean nodulation mutants of the present invention can be specifically prepared by induced mutagenesis followed by appropriate phenotype screening. Fifteen individual mutants having nitrate tolerant nodulation and/or supernodulation phenotypes have been isolated. Soybean varieties having the nodulation phenotypes of the present invention are useful in the development of novel and agronomically important varieties of soybean.

Abstract: The invention provides genetically modified plant cells having a plant structural gene introduced and expressed therein under the control of a T-DNA promoter. In particular, the invention provides genetically modified plant cells having the phaseolin gene introduced and expressed therein under the control of a T-DNA promoter. Also provided are novel strains of bacteria containing and replicating T-DNA which has been modified to contain an inserted plant structural gene under the control of a T-DNA promoter. Further, the invention provides plasmids having the ability to replicate in E. coli and comprising T-DNA which has been modified to contain an inserted plant structural gene under the control of a T-DNA promoter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising:(A) a major amount of a fluorine-containing hydrocarbon containing one or two carbon atoms; and(B) a minor amount of at least one soluble boron-containing composition prepared by reacting a boron source with a monohydroxy alcohol, an alkylene glycol, a polyoxyalkylene glycol, hydrocarbyloxyalkylene glycol, a hydrocarbylcarbonyl polyoxyalkylene glycol, a hydroxy amine, or mixtures of two or more thereof, provided that the boron-containing composition is substantially free of hydroxyl groups.The present invention provides compositions which are useful in refrigerators or air conditioners including auto, home and industrial air conditioners. The invention provides boron-containing compositions which are compatible with fluorine-containing hydrocarbons used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

Abstract: Rhizobial ferredoxin genes and proteins are provided. Rhizobial ferredoxins are useful to enhance the nitrogenase systems of rhizobia. Useful rhizobial ferredoxin diagnostic segments are also provided comprising DNA sequences encoding the characteristic ferredoxin cysteine residue patterns. Exemplied rhizobial ferredoxin genes are fixX of Rhizobium trifolii and Rhizobium meliloti Between fixC and nifA, fixY of Rhizobium meliloti down stream from nifB, and frxA of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

Abstract: The isolation and characterization of nodD-related genes in soybean nodulating Rhizobium japonicum is described. In R. japonicum USDA 191 two such genes have been identified, which although related in structure, have different functional properties. These nodD genes are functionally distinct from each other and from those nodD genes of other strains of Rhizobium that have been isolated and characterized to date. In particular, nodD-r1 has been found to affect nodulation on soybean and to be associated with exopolysaccharide production. In contrast, nodD-r2 affects nodulation on the tropical legume siratro. The coding sequences of both nodD genes are provided. The promoter regions of the nodD genes have also been isolated. The genes described herein, including both structural genes and their promoter regions, can be used in combination with other genetic constructs to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of nodulation.

Abstract: DNA sequence of S-genes which encode S-proteins and control the self-incompatibility reaction in gametophytic self-incompatible plants have been identified. The DNA sequence encoding several S-proteins of N. alata and their attendant signal sequences are specifically provided. Regulatory sequences which direct expression of the S-genes in reproduction tissue of self-incompatible plants have also been identified. A method for the identification and isolation of cDNA and genomic DNA coding sequences of the S-genes is described.

Abstract: A method of increasing nodulation of a plant capable of being nodulated by Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponis) is provided comprising infecting said plant with a Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponia) species mutated such that nodK is non-functional. One such method of mutation involves insertion upstream of nodABC constitutive promoter sequences capable of activating nodABC. The invention is exemplified by the inoculation of siratro with mutated Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponia) mutated by insertion of nptII promoter sequences in nodK upstream of nodABC so as to activate nodABC. As compared with inoculation with the corresponding wild-type Bradyrhizobium sp. (Parasponia), nodulation onset occurred five days earlier, nodulation number was doubled, and a 120% enhancement of plant yield was shown. Similar results were obtained regardless of the orientation of the nptII promoter-containing sequences within the nodK coding sequence.

Abstract: A class of proteins associated with self-incompatibility alleles of plants, preferably of gametophytic self-incompatibility type, are provided. These proteins inhibit pollen tube growth in a plant style having the associated self-incompatibility allele, and have defined amino acid homologies and cross-reactivities.

Abstract: A method for regeneration of sunflower plants via shoot induction from cotyledon explants prepared from non-germinated sunflower embryos is described. Several methods for preparing explants by dissection of mature and immature fully-formed embryos are provided. Explants are prepared to insure that substantially all of the induced shoots derive from single cotyledon cells. Appropriately prepared explants are cultured on a shoot induction medium containing a combination of BA and NAA. Induced shoots are rooted and the resulting plantlets are grown into mature sunflower plants. This regeneration method is efficient, rapid and employs a convenient explant source, sunflower seed. This regeneration method is particularly useful in combination with methods for introduction of foreign DNA into sunflower cells and tissue.

Abstract: A method for somatic embryogenesis of soybean, (Glycine max), Glycine soja and other Glycine species is provided using immature cotyledon tissue, preferably with the embryonic axis removed, comprising culturing said tissue on a medium containing auxin, preferably NAA at a concentration of at least about 15 mg/l. A further method for such somatic embryogenesis is provided wherein the culture medium contains a synergistically acting lowered carbohydrate and auxin concentration. Particularly embryogenic cells of such tissue are identified and improved maceration methods for contacting such cells with regeneration and transformation media are disclosed.Methods for transforming somatic tissue from soybean and other Glycine species are also provided.Whole, fertile, transformed plants are obtained.

Abstract: Nodulation regulatory genes (nodD genes) of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains have been isolated and sequenced. Recombinant DNA molecules and vectors containing these regulatory genes are described. These genes, molecules and vectors are useful in the genetic engineering of Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium strains. A method for selective expression of structural genes in response to the application of chemical factors which induce B. japonicum nod genes which employs these genes is described.

Abstract: The nifH promoter regions of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium sp. (parasponia) have been sequenced and found to be significantly homologous. Recombinant DNA molecules comprising foreign genes under the control of such promoters are provided. Rhizobial species containing such recombinant constructions, either in plasmids or integrated into the genome, are provided. These are especially useful for expressing desired foreign genes within root nodules.

Abstract: The present invention discloses plant cells which contain modified 7S legume seed storage protein. Modification of 7S seed storage proteins which are expressible in plant cells and transformation of such genes into plant cells is also taught. Furthermore, methods and DNA molecules useful for producing plant cells containing modified 7S seed storage proteins are also disclosed. The invention is exemplified by insertion of an oligonucleotide encoding 15 amino acid residues, including 6 methionines, into a Phaseolus vulgaris phaseolin gene, thereby tripling its content of sulfur-containing amino acids.

Abstract: The nifD promoter regions of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyhizobium sp. (Parasponia) have been sequenced and found to be significantly homologous. Recombinant DNA molecules comprising foreign genes under the control of such promoters are provided. Rhizobial species containing such recombinant constructions, either in plasmids or integrated into the genome, are provided. These are especially useful for expressing desired foreign genes within root nodules.

Abstract: An in vitro method for screening Glycine max cells for resistance to a disease caused by Phialophora gregata, brown stem rot, is disclosed. The method is useful for identifying brown stem rot resistant soybean varieties. Means for selecting mutant soybean cells for resistance to a toxin produced by P. gregata is also provided, as are cells and plants selected by this process. The invention involves culture of soybean calli in the presence of a filtrate of used fungal growth medium.