Abstract: Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are described which are effective for the control of diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis (Gg), such as take-all, in small grain crops or turf grass. The subject biocontrol strains have a unique genotype as shown by a characteristic banding pattern, and exhibit root-colonizing ability which is characterized by both higher population density on roots and extended colonizing activity compared to known Gg-suppressive strains. A further property is the ability of a strain to duplicate the level of biocontrol obtained naturally in a take-all decline soil. Methods for isolation and identification of the strains and their use to control diseases caused by Gg are provided. In particular, strains of P. fluorescens NRRL B-21806 and NRRL B-21807.

Abstract: Stabilized ubiquitin-lytic peptide fusion polypeptides and a method of making the same by sub-cloning nucleic acid sequences coding for lytic peptides into a plasmid vector comprising a promoter and ubiquitin polypeptide coding sequence, wherein the ubiquitin polypeptide sequence is linked to the 5′ end of the lytic peptide nucleic acid sequence and is translated as a fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ground-driven residue management wheel attachment for seeding equipment comprising of a fingered wheel, inner ring, and spring-loaded arm. The fingered wheel and inner ring pin crop residue to the ground surface and prevent residue from lodging on the farrow-opening device of the seeding unit. The fingered wheel and inner ring also act as a shield and prevent soil disturbed by the furrow-opening device from being thrown out of the seed furrow. The adjustable spring-loaded arm is able to pivot about the vertical and horizontal axes and provides downpressure to keep the fingered wheel in contact with the ground surface.

Abstract: Compositions and lures are described which provide synthetic chemical attractants which function as highly effective attractants for male and female moths, primarily moths of the family Noctuidae. In one aspect, the attractants provide an effective attractant amount of vapor of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-pentanol or mixtures thereof. In another aspect, the attractants provide vapor blends of acetic acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, and 3-methyl-1-pentanol. By attracting male and female moths to traps or baits, the chemical attractants provide a means for detecting, surveying, monitoring, and controlling the moths.

Abstract: Transgenic fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are described which have a biosynthetic locus which encodes for the production of the antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid stably introduced into the genome, have a locus which encodes for the production of the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and are effective for control of diseases caused by the soil-borne fungus, Rhizoctonia. Strains are also described which control diseases caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis or Pythium, in addition to Rhizoctonia, or have the ability to control all three diseases.

Abstract: Methods of genetic transformation of plants utilizing the cyanamide hydratase gene as a selectable marker are disclosed. Methods of producing fertile plants which have the ability to convert cyanamide into a nitrogen source are described.

Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of prion proteins and use of the antibodies in immunoassays to detect PrP-Sc, in fixed or unfixed tissue, as an indication of the presence of TSE infection. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody cocktail having the monoclonal antibody in combination with a second monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to a second conserved epitope of prion proteins. One or both monoclonal antibodies of the cocktail can recognize epitopes found in all mammalian species in which a natural TSE has been reported and in a number of closely related species.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of the conserved Anaplasma marginale major surface protein 5 gene and gene product and monoclonal antibody ANAF16C1 for the identification of animals persistently infected with Anaplasma species.

Abstract: Improved artificial diets or growth media are described which are suitable for rearing large numbers of viable and biologically fit arthropods, including zoophagous arthropods and phytophagous arthropods, including facultatively zoophagous arthropods. In a first embodiment, the growth medium is composed of a mixture of cooked egg, liquid, and carbohydrate source. In a second embodiment, the growth medium is composed of a plant-based phytophage diet which includes cooked egg yolk or cooked whole egg. In a third embodiment, the growth medium is composed of a mixture of cooked egg, liquid, and carbohydrate source in admixture with a plant-based phytophage diet which includes cooked egg yolk or cooked whole egg. The growth media are devoid of meat products or insect components and are suitable for mass production of arthropods at a reasonable cost for use in biological control programs or other biologically based technologies.

Abstract: Compositions and lures are described which provide synthetic chemical attractants which function as highly effective attractants for male and female moths, primarily moths of the family Noctuidae. In one aspect, the attractants provide an effective attractant amount of vapor of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-pentanol or mixtures thereof. In another aspect, the attractants provide vapor blends of acetic acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-2-butanol, and 3-methyl-1-pentanol. By attracting male and female moths to traps or baits, the chemical attractants provide a means for detecting, surveying, monitoring, and controlling the moths.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for producing dough, preferably wheat dough, with particular viscoelastic properties and the use of such dough in products such as breads and noodles. Viscoelastic variation is effected by using flour milled from seed containing non-natural HMW glutenin subunits. In particular, HMW glutenin subunits comprising a non-natural repetitive domain having repeats which are non-natural in number and/or synthetic in sequence are used to control viscoelastic properties of dough. It is demonstrated that while controlling for termini and repeat sequence, modifying repeat number may be used to change dough properties such as viscoelasticity. The invention also provides recombinant genes encoding the subject HMW glutenin subunits, plants and seeds comprising such genes, methods of making such plants by genetic engineering, doughs and other wheat products with modified viscoelastic properties and methods of making such product using the disclosed compositions.

Abstract: Methods to detect prion or PrP-Sc protein as an indication of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), including preclinical detection of infected live animals, and postmortem detection methods, are described. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a non-invasive diagnostic assay using third eyelid-associated lymphoid tissue. In another aspect, the invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind a conserved epitope of PrP-Sc protein in fixed or frozen treated tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a transgenic cell having a stably integrated, single copy of an exogenous polynucleotide sequence. The method, which resolves repeated insertions of the introduced polynucleotide sequence into a single copy, involves introducing into a genetic locus of a cell a polynucleotide sequence flanked on each end by a recombination site. The recombination sites are oriented such that contact with a recombinase would not result in deletion of the polynucleotide sequence from the construct. The multiple, tandem copies of the introduced polynucleotide locus are then contacted with a recombinase that catalyzes recombination among the recombination sites. As a result of this method, the multiple, tandem copies are resolved to a single copy.

Abstract: Compositions and lures are described which provide vapor blends of acetic acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of isobutanol, racemic 2-methyl-1-butanol, S-(-)-2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, heptyl butyrate, and butyl butyrate which function as highly effective attractants for yellowjacket wasps and paper wasps. By attracting wasps to traps or baits, the chemical attractants provide a means for detecting, surveying, monitoring, and controlling the wasps.

Abstract: DNA sequences which function specifically in the synthesis of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (Phl) are described. The sequences include phl genes which encode phl gene proteins and coding and regulatory sequences for production of Phl as well as sequences containing phl genes, which sequences have the capability of conferring or enhancing Phl biosynthetic capability in bacterial strains. The transformed strains are useful as biocontrol agents against fungal pathogens.

Abstract: Value-added, restructured fruit and vegetable products made from bulk-processed ingredients are taught. The restructured fruit and vegetable products are to be eaten out-of-hand as confectionery items or incorporated into baked, canned and/or frozen foods, such as cereals, cookies, cakes, fruit cocktails and ice creams. Processing methods involving twin-screw extrusion used to obtain the restructured fruit and vegetable products are also taught.

Abstract: Compositions and combinations of alpha-ionol and cade oil are effective attractants for Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) fruit flies. By attracting adult males to field traps or baits, the attractants provide a means for detecting, surveying, monitoring, and controlling this agricultural pest.

Abstract: A simple, lightweight, reusable three element trap for attracting and capturing flying insects, especially whiteflies, consists of a transparent enclosure attached to a yellow base with a truncated cone shaped interior for admitting flying insects into the transparent enclosure, and a deflector plate suspended over the top opening of the base to impede the insects' flying out of the trap. The trap does not require bait or adhesives. The flying insects are attracted to the yellow base, land and crawl inside, where they are attracted to the light passing through the transparent enclosure. The insects attempt to fly away, and become trapped inside the trap.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of papaya (Carica papaya L.) plant cv. ‘Poamoho Gold’ which is characterized by having the following combination of characteristics that are desirable in a new variety: medium fruit size, distinctive spicy flavor, high degree of sweetness, absence of strong odor, attractive deep orange-yellow flesh color, attractive bulbous pyriform-shaped fruit with smooth, shiny, waxy skin generally free of grooves and roughness, resistance to papaya ringspot virus, high tree vigor, intermediate fruit bearing height, low incidence of carpellody and sterility, and moderately firm flesh, giving good eating, handling, and shipping qualities.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of papaya (Carica papaya L.) plant cv. ‘Laie Gold’ which is characterized by having the following combination of characteristics that are desirable in a new variety; large fruit size, high tree vigor, absence of occasional bitterness and unpleasant, strong odor during the cooler season, a lower incidence of carpellody and sterility, resistance to papaya ringspot virus, good fungus and nematode tolerance (good rooting capacity), early and low fruit bearing, and attractive globular pyriform fruit with delicate coconut- or mango-like taste and moderately firm flesh, giving good eating, handling, and shipping qualities.