Abstract: The invention relates to plants, especially transgenic plants, plant parts and plant cells overproducing a secretory phospholipase A2 protein (e.g. sPLA2-a or sPLA2-b) and having an enhanced resistance against a wide range of abiotic (e.g., against osmotic stress) and biotic stress (e.g., bacterial, or fungal infections) conditions as well as inducing early flowering. The invention also comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding a secretory phospholipase A2 or functional isoforms thereof and the use of such sequences for rendering plants resistant against abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The invention is useful for mitigating crop damages by a wide variety of pathogen infections and stress conditions and for accelerating flowering time.

Abstract: The invention relates to plants, especially transgenic plants, plant parts and plant cells overproducing a secretory phospholipase A2 protein (e.g. sPLA2-a or sPLA2-b) and having an enhanced resistance against a wide range of abiotic (e.g., against osmotic stress) and biotic stress (e.g., bacterial, or fungal infections) conditions as well as inducing early flowering. The invention also comprises nucleic acid sequences encoding a secretory phospholipase A2 or functional isoforms thereof and the use of such sequences for rendering plants resistant against abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The invention is useful for mitigating crop damages by a wide variety of pathogen infections and stress conditions and for accelerating flowering time.

Abstract: Methods for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of dandelion plants are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of enhancing fruit ripening and stability and of delaying senescence in fruit and other plant tissues. This method consists of applying an effective amount of a lysophospholipid, such as lysophosphatidylethanolamine (18:1) (hereinafter referred to as “LPE (18:1)”) or lysophosphatidylinositol (hereinafter referred to as “LPI”) to the fruit and other plant tissues. Lysophospholipids such as LPE (18:1) and LPI were found to be superior to other lysophospholipids in delaying senescence and in inhibiting phospholipase D, a key enzyme in mediating membrane deterioration during of plant senescence. LPE (18:1) and LPI are naturally occurring and environmentally safe. Their use could replace many environmentally toxic compounds that are currently being used to retard senescence of flowers, fruits and leaves and to enhance fruit ripening.