Abstract: A nucleic acid construct is provided. The construct comprises a tobacco rattle virus (TRV) sequence and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a single guide RNA (sgRNA) that mediates sequence-specific cleavage in a target sequence of a genome of interest, wherein the TRV sequence is devoid of a functional 2b sequence. Also provided are plant cells comprising the construct and uses of the construct in gene editing.

Abstract: A Gypsophila paniculata plant comprising an exogenous nucleic acid sequence encoding PAP1 is provided. Alternatively or additionally there is provided a Gypsophila paniculata plant comprising a flower producing a non-thermally induced red, pink, purple or green pigmentation or a combination of same.

Abstract: A nucleic acid construct is provided. The construct comprises a tobacco rattle virus (TRV) sequence and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a single guide RNA (sgRNA) that mediates sequence-specific cleavage in a target sequence of a genome of interest, wherein the TRV sequence is devoid of a functional 2b sequence. Also provided are plant cells comprising the construct and uses of the construct in gene editing.

Abstract: A method of generating genotypic variation in a genome of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into a gamete or a gamete producing tissue of the plant at least one viral expression vector encoding at least one chimeric nuclease which comprises a DNA binding domain, a nuclease and a localization signal to a DNA-containing organelle, wherein the DNA binding domain mediates specific targeting of the nuclease to the genome of the plant, wherein the introducing is performed such that the gamete or gamete producing tissue expresses the chimeric nuclease but not all plant tissues express the chimeric nuclease, thereby generating genotypic variation in the genome of the plant.

Abstract: A method of generating genotypic variation in a genome of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant at least one viral expression vector encoding at least one chimeric nuclease which comprises a DNA binding domain, a nuclease and a localization signal to a DNA-containing organelle, wherein the DNA binding domain mediates specific targeting of the nuclease to the genome of the plant, thereby generating genotypic variation in the genome of the plant.

Abstract: A method of generating genotypic variation in a genome of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant at least one viral expression vector encoding at least one chimeric nuclease which comprises a DNA binding domain, a nuclease and a localization signal to a DNA-containing organelle, wherein the DNA binding domain mediates specific targeting of the nuclease to the genome of the plant, thereby generating genotypic variation in the genome of the plant.

Abstract: A method of enhancing production of a phenylpropanoid compound in a plant or plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising: (a) expressing in the plant or plant cell a heterologous polynucleotide which produces a myb gene of the phenylpropanoid pathway; and (b) contacting the plant or plant cell with at least one substrate of the phenylpropanoid pathway, the substrate being upstream to the production of the phenylpropanoid compound, thereby enhancing the production of a phenylpropanoid compound in the plant or plant cell.

Abstract: A method of generating genotypic variation in a genome of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into a gamete or a gamete producing tissue of the plant at least one viral expression vector encoding at least one chimeric nuclease which comprises a DNA binding domain, a nuclease and a localization signal to a DNA-containing organelle, wherein the DNA binding domain mediates specific targeting of the nuclease to the genome of the plant, wherein the introducing is performed such that the gamete or gamete producing tissue expresses the chimeric nuclease but not all plant tissues express the chimeric nuclease, thereby generating genotypic variation in the genome of the plant.

Abstract: Methods of increasing tolerance of a plant to stress are provided. According to an exemplary aspect a method of increasing tolerance of a plant to a biotic stress is provided. The method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous fibrillin/CDSP34 thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to the biotic stress. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs and transgenic plants comprising same.

Abstract: A method of generating genotypic variation in a genome of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising introducing into the plant at least one viral expression vector encoding at least one chimeric nuclease which comprises a DNA binding domain, a nuclease and a localization signal to a DNA-containing organelle, wherein the DNA binding domain mediates specific targeting of the nuclease to the genome of the plant, thereby generating genotypic variation in the genome of the plant.

Abstract: A method of enhancing production of a phenylpropanoid compound in a plant or plant cell is disclosed. The method comprising: (a) expressing in the plant or plant cell a heterologous polynucleotide which produces a myb gene of the phenylpropanoid pathway; and (b) contacting the plant or plant cell with at least one substrate of the phenylpropanoid pathway, the substrate being upstream to the production of the phenylpropanoid compound, thereby enhancing the production of a phenylpropanoid compound in the plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Methods of increasing tolerance of a plant to stress are provided. According to an exemplary aspect a method of increasing tolerance of a plant to a biotic stress is provided. The method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to the biotic stress. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs and transgenic plants comprising same.

Abstract: A method of transforming a carnation (Dianthus L.) plant genome with a DNA molecule. The method comprises (a) preparing stem explants from carnation cuttings; (b) wounding the explants by microprojectile bombardment; (c) cocultivating the wounded explants with Agrobacterium comprising the DNA molecule under defined conditions of exposure to dark followed by light; (d) excising shoots from the cultivated wounded explants and removing the leaves from the shoots; and (e) culturing the leaves to obtain transgenic shoots transformed with the DNA molecule. Also disclosed are a rolC-transgenic carnation with improved agronomic traits and enhancement of flower fragrance by antisense suppression of the flavonoid gene fht.

Abstract: A method for transforming a gypsophila plant with a nucleic acid of interest comprising: (i) pre-treating said gypsophila plant with a gibberellin, (ii) obtaining a plant segment from said treated plant; (iii) co-cultivating said plant segment with an Agrobacterium vector comprising said nucleic acid of interest; and (iv) selecting a transformed plant segment and regenerating a transformed plant therefrom.

Abstract: A method for production of high amounts of carotenoids in plants, bacteria or cells. Carotenoid-associated proteins CHRC and CHRD isolated from corollas of Cucumis sativus, chrc gene, CHRC deduced sequence, the molecular cloning, cDNA and RNA. A new CHRC promoter able to direct expression for foreign genes. The cloned promoter comprising approximately 3.5 Kb of the CHRC upstream region.