Abstract: A nanomaterial conjugate for delivering an active agent to a plant comprising a nanocarrier and an active agent linked to the nanocarrier. The nanocarrier is cellulose nanocrystal (CNC), and the nanocarrier delivers the active agent across cell walls of cells of the plant.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for activation/enhancement of cell growth of a plant. The method also stimulates the production of pharmaceutically active metabolites, including alkaloids, in plant cell cultures. The method includes providing a nano-sized material contained agent, and treating the plant with the nano-sized material contained agent to allow sufficient interaction of cells of the plant with the nano-sized material so as to activate/enhance the cell growth of the plant or to stimulate the production of pharmaceutically active metabolites.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for activation/enhancement of cell growth of a plant. The method also stimulates the production of pharmaceutically active metabolites, including alkaloids, in plant cell cultures. The method includes providing a nano-sized material contained agent, and treating the plant with the nano-sized material contained agent to allow sufficient interaction of cells of the plant with the nano-sized material so as to activate/enhance the cell growth of the plant or to stimulate the production of pharmaceutically active metabolites.

Abstract: A method for reducing salinity stress symptoms in a seed plant, comprising the step of adding carbon-based nanomaterials into a salinity growth medium in which the seed plant is cultivated, the salinity growth medium is in a salinity condition which causes the seed plant cultivated in the growth medium demonstrates the salinity stress symptom.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for activation/enhancement of cell growth of a plant. The method also stimulates the production of pharmaceutically active metabolites, including alkaloids, in plant cell cultures. The method includes providing a nano-sized material contained agent, and treating the plant with the nano-sized material contained agent to allow sufficient interaction of cells of the plant with the nano-sized material so as to activate/enhance the cell growth of the plant or to stimulate the production of pharmaceutically active metabolites.

Abstract: A method for regulating properties of a plant, includes: providing a nanoagent having at least one nanocomposite; and delivering the nanoagent to the plant. The nanocomposite has at least one gold nanorod, a silver layer coated on an outer surface of the gold nanorod, a pegylated layer coated on the silver layer, and an active layer conjugated to the pegylated layer. The silver layer includes silver nanoparticles. The pegylated layer includes at least one of thiolated polyethylene glycol (HS-PEG), thiolated polyethylene glycol acid (HS-PEG-COOH) and HS-PEG-NHx. The active layer includes at least one bio-active agent configured to interact with the plant. The bio-active agent can be 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).

Abstract: A method for silencing rice plant, includes the steps of: identifying a first nucleotide sequence from Oryza sativa, wherein the first nucleotide sequence is homologous to a Ca2+-dependent lipid-binding gene of Arabidopsis thaliana (Atclb gene); cloning the first nucleotide sequence to a first vector to form a first recombinant vector, such that the first recombinant vector contains a first insert of the first nucleotide sequence; and transfer the first insert in the first recombinant vector to a second vector to form a second recombinant vector, such that the second recombinant vector contains a second insert of the first nucleotide sequence. The second recombinant vector, when being introduced to Oryza sativa plant cells, is capable of silencing the first nucleotide sequence of the Oryza sativa plant cells, such that the Oryza sativa plant cells are tolerant to an abiotic stress.

Abstract: A method for regulating properties of a plant, includes: providing a nanoagent having at least one nanocomposite; and delivering the nanoagent to the plant. The nanocomposite has at least one gold nanorod, a silver layer coated on an outer surface of the gold nanorod, a pegylated layer coated on the silver layer, and an active layer conjugated to the pegylated layer. The silver layer includes silver nanoparticles. The pegylated layer includes at least one of thiolated polyethylene glycol (HS-PEG), thiolated polyethylene glycol acid (HS-PEG-COOH) and HS-PEG-NHx. The active layer includes at least one bio-active agent configured to interact with the plant. The bio-active agent can be 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for activation/enhancement of cell growth of a plant. The method includes providing a nano-sized material contained agent, and treating the plant with the nano-sized material contained agent to allow sufficient interaction of cells of the plant with the nano-sized material so as to activate/enhance the cell growth of the plant.

Abstract: A transgenic plant includes a first gene having a first polynucleotide and a recombinant construct having a second polynucleotide. The first polynucleotide is homologous to a Atclb gene fragment represented by nucleotide acids 963-1205 of SEQ ID NO:1. The first polynucleotide encodes a C2-like domain, and the Atclb gene fragment encodes a C2 domain represented by amino acids 265-345 of SEQ ID NO:2. The C2-like domain is homologous to the C2 domain. The second polynucleotide has at least 90% identity to the first polynucleotide or a sequence complimentary to the first polynucleotide. The recombinant construct is configured to silence the first gene such that the transgenic plant is tolerant to abiotic stress. A method to produce the transgenic plants.

Abstract: Unique fusion genes are disclosed which are useful for transforming a wide range of plants, and when used in tandem, result in a significant alteration of the plant phenotype with respect to tolerance to the stress from prolonged storage under either dark or cold conditions, or a combination of cold and dark conditions. The gene constructs include (1) a cold-regulated gene (COR15a) promoter to drive an ipt coding sequence that expresses IPT in the tissues of plants or plant parts exposed to a short cold induction period; and (2) a cold-regulated gene (COR15a) promoter to drive a (FAD7) coding sequence that expresses a fatty acid desaturase enzyme in the tissues of plants or plant parts exposed to a short cold induction period. Transgenic plants comprising these genes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A unique fusion gene is disclosed which is useful for transforming a wide range of plants, resulting in a significant alteration of the plant phenotype with respect to shoot and floral tissue response, but not affecting root growth or function. The gene construct includes an ACC oxidase promoter to drive an ipt coding sequence that expresses IPT at certain stages of plant maturation and in certain tissues of the shoot. Exemplary transformations include chrysanthemum and tobacco, both of which exhibit increased branching in the vegetative shoot and increased bud count in the generative shoot.