Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides new variants of the Fad3 enzyme, including amino acid substitutions, as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding such peptides. Other aspects of the invention include transgenic plants and plant parts. Vectors capable of transforming plant cells are provided, including the nucleic acids of the invention, including Fad3 coding sequences. Corresponding methods are provided for obtaining the transgenic plants of the invention. Methods are provided for using the plants of the invention, including selected plants and transgenic plants, to obtain plant products. Amplification primers for identifying the Fad3 alleles of the invention are provided, together with methods of obtaining plants using the Fad3 alleles of the invention as markers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a cyclopropene, for example 1-MCP, encapsulated in a cyclodextrin matrix, a hygroscopic compound, yeast and/or other enzymes involved in the production of alcohols and aldehydes from organic substrates, and, optionally an organic substrate for the enzymes. The composition of the present invention provides, under controlled conditions, the co-release of the cyclopropene, alcohols, aldehydes and carbon dioxide, which work together to improve the quality of plants during storage. Methods and commercial packages employing these compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses fungal isolates of Phoma macrostoma or extracts obtained therefrom, useful for the control of broad leaf weeds, including Canada thistle, perennial sowthistle, dandelion, scentless chamomile, false cleavers, chickweed, wild buckwheat, and field bindweed. The present invention also discloses biological control compositions comprising fungal isolates formulated in a growth medium for maintaining the viability of the fungal isolates when the biological control composition is applied to soil. The present invention also discloses a novel probe and primer pair sequence for use in detecting Phoma macrostoma isolates that exhibit biocontrol activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling insects of the Order Diptera by providing a Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, or a spore or crystal of the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, and either contacting the insect with or administering to an animal the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, or the spore or crystal of the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof; or applying the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, or the spore or crystal of Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof to an infested area. The Bacillus thuringiensis strain contains a plasmid carrying endotoxin genes for encoding delta-endotoxins Cry1A, Cry1B, Cry1F, Cry1H, Cry1I, Cry1K, Cry2 or a variant thereof. Preferably, the strain is Bacillus thuringiensis strain LRC3 deposited as ATCC PTA-6248. Methods for preparing the strain, spores, crystals, mutants, variants, and compositions incorporating same are described.

Abstract: A continuous process for separating components of flaxseed is described. Flaxseed is dried to a moisture content of from about 0.5% to about 3.0%, after which is introduced into a separation chamber having an abrasive rotator therein. As the flaxseed passes over the abrasive rotator, contact with rotator separates the flaxseed components into hulls and kernels. Hulls and kernels are separated and may be used in this form or processed further. Hulls may be further processed by extraction with water and with hexane to remove flaxseed gum and oil, respectively. These two extractions may be done in any order. The process results in a lignan-rich component of flaxseed, a gum extract and oil. These separate components of flaxseed may be used in products such as feed, personal care products or nutraceuticals.

Abstract: Strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae have antifungal activity against the pathogen Pythium ultimum. Compositions and methods for treating or protecting plants susceptible to Pythium ultimum damage, and Pythium sp. “group G” damage in particular, are provided. Such strains include, for example, the strains deposited in the International Depository Authority of Canada under accession numbers IDAC 200704-01, IDAC 200704-02, IDAC 200704-03, and IDAC 200704-04.

Abstract: A process is provided for inducing direct somatic embryogenesis in Pooideae and rapidly regenerating fertile plants by first culturing isolated immature scutella cells in culture medium comprising auxin, cytokinin and polyamine in amounts effective to cause direct formation of primary embryos without an intervening callus stage, at least until at least one primary embryo reaches the globular developmental stage, the auxin being present in greater proportion than cytokinin.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation f electrostatically-linked, aliphatic- or alicyclic-substituted anionic or cationic polysaccharide gels from readily available macroporous ionic polysaccharide chromatographic media, such as diethylaminoethyl (DEAE), quaternary aminoethyl (QAE) and sulfopropyl (SP) substituted polysaccharide gels. These novel gels are used for the isolation, recovery and purification of non-polar extractives using one or more extracting solvents from the group of lower alcohols, ketones, and water. The non-polar extractives may be alk(n)lyresorcinols, steroid, triterpenoid, cardiac glycosides and saponins, steryl ferulates and other phenolic acid conjugates, flavonoids, lipids, alcohol-soluble antimicrobials, prolamines or other alcohol-soluble proteolipid complexes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to regulate expression of a gene of interest in a plant comprising, introducing into the plant a first nucleotide sequence comprising, the gene of interest operatively linked to a first regulatory region, and an operator sequence capable of binding a fusion protein, and a second nucleotide sequence comprising a second regulatory region in operative association with a nucleotide sequence encoding the fusion protein. The fusion protein comprising, a DNA binding protein, or a portion thereof, capable of binding the operator sequence, and a recruitment factor protein, or a portion thereof, capable of binding a chromatin remodelling protein. In this manner, expression of the second nucleotide sequence produces the fusion protein that regulates expression of the gene of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleotide sequence of bovine epidermal growth factor (bEGF) and the deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. The invention further provides the nucleotide sequence of mature bEGF and the deduced mature bEGF protein. The invention extends to homologous nucleic acids, proteins, and fragments functionally equivalent to the nucleotide sequence of the bEGF gene and bEGF protein, respectively. Bovine EGF may be expressed in microorganisms such as E. coli or P. pastoris, and plant hosts, such as potato. Activity of recombinant bEGF may be confirmed using a cell proliferation/DNA synthesis assay. Bovine EGF demonstrates utility in livestock and dairy productions as a supplement in farm animal feed to promote growth; to prevent or treat intestinal infections; to stimulate precocious maturation of gut cells to secrete an appropriate spectrum of digestive enzymes; and to increase nutrient absorption.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a regulatory region obtained from a wheat aleurone gene LtpW1. This regulatory region, truncated derivatives, mutations, or deletions of this regulatory region, can be used to express heterologous genes of interest within aleurone cells of a plant. Furthermore, this invention is directed to a truncated LtpW1 regulatory region that exhibits constitutive activity with both monocot and dicot plants. This invention is also directed to vectors comprising these regulatory regions operatively linked with a heterologous gene of interest, as well as plant cell cultures and transgenic plants comprising these vectors. A method for the preparation of a plant using the regulatory regions of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fusarium graminearum is a plant pathogen, attacking a wide range of plant species including corn (ear and stalk rot), barley, and wheat (head blight). Fusarium epidemics result in millions of dollars of losses in crop revenues. Fusarium graminearum infection in the cereals reduces both grain yield and quality. Mycotoxins are produced by many fungal Fusarium species and thus the grain becomes contaminated with these mycotoxins, such as the trichothecenes. The major trichothecene produced by F. graminearum is deoxynivalenol (abbreviated as DON, also known as vomitoxin). Trichothecenes are potent protein synthesis inhibitors and are quite toxic to humans and livestock. A yeast gene has been identified which confers upon yeast tolerant of the trichothecene, trichodermin. A corresponding plant gene has been prepared, which has been used to transform plants. These transformed plants have an increased resistance to Fusarium infestation.

Abstract: Posttranslational modification of histones, in particular acetylation and deacetylation are involved in the regulation of gene expression. Histone deacetylases remove acetyl groups from histone proteins. The present invention is directed to a method of regulating gene expression in a transgenic plant comprising, introducing into a plant a first chimeric nucleotide sequence comprising a first regulatory element in operative association with a coding sequence of interest, and an upstream activating sequence, and a second chimeric nucleotide sequence comprising a second regulatory element in operative association with a nucleotide sequence encoding histone deaceytlase and a nucleotide sequence encoding a DNA binding protein, and growing the transgenic plant.

Abstract: Novel lines of Brassica juncea yield an edible oil that has properties similar to canola oil. More specifically, the oil has an oleic acid content of at least 55% by weight, a linoleic acid content of less than 25% by weight, a linolenic acid content of less than 14% by weight, a erucic acid content of less than 1% by weight, a palmitic acid content of less than 6% by weight, a stearic acid content of less than 2.5% by weight, and a total saturated acid content of less than 7.1% by weight. The novel lines of B. juncea plant have a lineage that includes both lines J90-3450 and J90-4316, these being known lines of B. juncea, and may be formed by conventional cross fertilization or other means. The novel lines can be grown in harsher environments than conventional canola species and are high-yielding and disease-resistant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to translational regulatory elements that mediate the amount of protein produced within a host capable of expressing a construct comprising one or more translational regulatory elements in operative association with a gene of interest. These translational regulatory elements were derived from T1275 (tCUP) and exhibit a high degree of similarity with members of the RENT family of repetitive elements. Translational regulatory elements are disclosed that either increase or decrease he amount of protein produced within the host organism. These translational elements are operative in a wide range of hosts including plant, animals, yeast, fungi and bacteria. Analogs, derivatives and fragments of these translational elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a regulatory gene Lc and encoded protein to alter the biosynthesis and accumulation of flavonoids including anthocyanins and condensed tannins in plants and plant tissues, particularly in alfalfa, white clover, and other forage legumes which are similar in lacking native condensed tannin accumulation in leaves. The identification of the effects of this gene in alfalfa provide a mechanism for altering flavonoid, anthocyanin and condensed tannin production in forage legumes and allows one to alter such levels to produce a variety of benefits in the field of agriculture, animal farming and food technology in general.

Abstract: T-DNA tagging with a promoterless &bgr;-glucuronidase (GUS) gene generated transgenic Nicotiana tabacum plants that expressed GUS activity either only in developing seed coats, or constitutively. Cloning and deletion analysis of the GUS fusion revealed that the promoter responsible for seed coat specificity was located in the plant DNA proximal to the GUS gene. Analysis of the region demonstrated that the seed coat-specificity of GUS expression in this transgenic plant resulted from T-DNA insertion next to a cryptic promoter. This promoter is useful in controlling the expression of genes to the developing seed coat in plant seeds. Similarly, cloning and characterization of the cryptic constitutive promoter revealed the occurrence of several cryptic regulatory regions. These regions include promoter, negative regulatory elements, transcriptional enhancers, core promoter regions, and translational enhancers and other regulatory elements.

Abstract: ‘HW616’ is an early season high quality pear primarily for the fresh market that has an attractive golden yellow fruit with no blush, smooth skin, very good balance between sweetness and acidity, that is exceptionally juicy and has excellent resistance to natural fire blight.

Abstract: A new and distinct June-bearing strawberry cultivar named ‘Saint-Laurent d'Orléans’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of Eastern Central Canada and shows resistance to leaf diseases. Its high yields of very large, firm, light-red colored fruits, its long shelf life and high levels and activity of antioxidants essentially characterize ‘Saint-Laurent d'Orléans’.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) named ‘Brunswick’ characterized by its large petals, large calyx, ovoid fruit, and resistance to powdery mildew. The invention is distinct from other varieties, but most similar to ‘Cavendish’ and ‘Honeoye’.