Abstract: A method for making an agriculturally useful inoculant of dried, dormant bacteria is described. To make the inoculant, a suspension of Rhizobium or other bacteria is maintained, substantially separated from its culture medium, at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree.-30.degree. C. for varying periods of time under aseptic conditions. The bacterial suspension is then mixed with a porous chemically inert granular carrier such that the weight ratio of carrier to bacteria is in the range of about 0.5 to 1.0. Finally, the bacteria-carrier mixture is air dried for a period of about 2 to 10 days under aseptic conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for efficiently using genic male-sterile maize in hybrid seed production which allows economical maintenance of male-sterile stocks. This method enhances a natural linkage between a selected male-sterile gene and a marker gene conditioning an easily observable trait by deletion and screening to create stocks in which the linkage is effectively complete.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating and utilizing genic male-sterile maize for hybrid maize production. The method makes use of the Spm transposable element system and involves creation of a mutated male fertile allele, mutated by the presence of the Spm suppression receptor therein, expression of which is suppressed in the presence of the Spm suppressor. Methods are disclosed for transferring this system into any inbred line of interest for use in hybrid seed production.

Abstract: An assay method for the detection of a specific nucleotide target sequence in a polynucleotide test extract is disclosed which utilizes a polynucleotide modified probe including both a cDNA sequence substantially complementary to the specific target sequence and a protein binding sequence. The assay is conducted by exposing the modified probe to the polynucleotide test extract for hybridization and then exposing the complex to the protein which binds to the protein binding sequence. An assay, such as an immunoassay, can then be conducted on the test sample to indicate the presence of the specific target sequence by detecting the presence of the binding protein.

Abstract: A culture medium and method for the isolation and culture of plant protoplasts is disclosed which includes in it a quantity of neutral mammalian blood serum. An addition of 1 to 25% serum to protoplast media results in a greater yield of viable protoplast cells, helps to protect the protoplasts in culture, and makes it possible to obtain and maintain corn protoplasts, a heretofore difficult task.

Abstract: A plant tissue culture device is disclosed for the culturing of a plurality of plant cell tissue cultures or callus cultures on a liquid medium. The cultures are maintained in culture wells on a culture plate and a porous wick is used to transport nutrient medium to the cultures from a supply of medium in a medium vessel underneath the culture plate.

Abstract: A composition and method for control of animal pests capable of nitrogen fixation is disclosed in which the active ingredient is a metal compound of either molybdenum or tungsten. It is disclosed that such metal salts of molybdenum and tungsten are uniquely toxic to termites and shipworms in low dosages. The composition can be incorporated into direct control agents, termite baits, soil inoculants, or may be incorporated with other ingredients in a wood treating dip or pressure treating composition for wood preservation.