Abstract: The present invention is directed to apple fruit-associated and Thi 1.3:actin fusion promoters capable of promoting the expression of heterologous genes. The invention provides apple fruit-associated and Thi 1.3:actin fusion promoters together with heterologous nucleic acid constructs, vectors, kits, transformation methods, transgenic plant cells and transgenic plants comprising such promoters.

Abstract: An efficient micropropagation system for fruit-bearing trees has been developed for rapid clonal multiplication of large numbers of shoots within a short time. The micropropagation system provides for transformation and vegetative propagation of fruit-bearing tree shoots to produce uniform populations of transgenic fruit-bearing trees.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic hybrid promoter composed of polynucleotide segments derived from the E8 and E4 gene promoters. The hybrid promoter is capable of providing high-level expression of heterologous genes, particularly in transformed fruit. DNA constructs containing the E8-E4 hybrid promoter operably linked to an exemplary heterologous SAMase gene are effective in conferring a delayed ripening phenotype to transformed fruit.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for promoting plant growth. The compounds are cyclopropyl- and cyclobutyl-substituted brassinosteroids having high growth promoting ability. They may be used alone or in combination with other plant growth regulating agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification and isolation of a promoter region from a raspberry genome. The promoter is operably linked, in a native raspberry genome, to the coding region of a raspberry E4 gene. The raspberry E4 gene promoter of the invention is capable of regulating moderate level, constitutive expression of a heterologous plant gene under its control. The invention is further directed to chimeric genes, cassette vectors, kits, transgenic plants, and methods employing a raspberry E4 promoter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a unique strain of Bacillus subtilis for inhibiting growth of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria and methods for treating or protecting plants from fingal and bacterial infections.

Abstract: An approximately 37 kilodalton (kd) protein associated with grapevine leafroll disease infected plants is disclosed. The 37 kd protein is the coat protein for a grapevine leafroll-associated virus designated GLRaV-8. The grapevine virus-encoded 37 kd polypeptide is immunologically distinct from the approximately 36 kd proteins associated with GLRaV-4 or GLRaV-5 or the approximately 38 kd protein associated with GLRaV-1. The invention further provides a substantially pure antibody directed against the 37 kd virus-associated protein, a stable cell line capable of producing such a monoclonal antibody, and a method for assaying for a virus infection in Vitis species. The method involves detecting the presence of a 37 kd polypeptide encoded by an RNA-containing plant virus using an antibody that does not react with a viral encoded polypeptide of ca. 38 kd.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric genes having (i) a DNA sequence encoding a product of interest, and (ii) a dru1 promoter, where said DNA sequence is heterologous to said promoter and said DNA sequence is operably linked to said promoter to enable expression of said product. The invention describes vectors, cells, plants, and fruits carrying the chimeric gene, as well as methods related thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification and isolation of two different promoter regions from the raspberry genome. The promoter regions are operably linked, in a native raspberry genome, to the coding region of a raspberry dru1 gene. Promoters of the invention are capable of regulating moderate level, constitutive expression of heterologous plant genes under their control. The invention is further directed to chimeric genes, cassette vectors, kits, transgenic plants, and methods employing such promoters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel strain antibiotic-producing Bacillus subtilis which is effective against plant fungal and bacterial infections. The invention also includes methods of protecting plants from fungal and bacterial infections comprising the step of applying to the plant an effective amount of the antibiotic-producing Bacillus subtilis, the antibiotic produced by the antibiotic-producing Bacillus subtilis or a combination thereof, optionally further comprising another antibiotic-producing bacterial strain and/or a chemical pesticide. The invention includes methods of treating fungal and bacterial infections using whole broth cultures or supernatants obtained from cultures of antibiotic-producing Bacillus subtilis cultures. The invention also includes treating plant infections using a combination of whole broth and/or supernatant obtained from the antibiotic-producing strain of Bacillus subtilis optionally in combination with chemical pesticides.

Abstract: An efficient transformation system for plants has been developed that yields high transformation efficiencies and pure transgenic plants. Genomic integration of transgenes was confirmed by genomic DNA hybridization analysis. Pure transgenic plants have been successfully established in soil.

Abstract: A method for control of ethylene biosynthesis in plants comprising a vector containing a selective gene under plant promoter control, and a DNA insert comprising codons for a functional heterologous polypeptide having AdoMetase activity and flanked by a plant promoter on one side and a polyA signal sequence on the other side; and, transforming a plant host with said vector wherein the plant host transformed thereby is capable of expressing the heterologous polypeptide having AdoMetase activity under the control of said control region. The presence of the AdoMetase gene and the expression of AdoMetase in transgenic plants lowers AdoMet levels and generates an inhibitor of ACC synthase causing a corresponding decrease in ethylene biosynthesis and precursor availability.

Abstract: A method for control of ethylene biosynthesis in plants comprising a vector containing a selective gene under plant promoter control, and a DNA insert comprising codons for a functional heterologous polypeptide having AdoMetase activity and flanked by a plant promoter on one side and a polyA signal sequence on the other side; and,transforming a plant host with said vector wherein the plant host transformed thereby is capable of expressing the heterologous polypeptide having AdoMetase activity under the control of said control region. The presence of the AdoMetase gene and the expression of AdoMetase in transgenic plants lowers AdoMet levels and generates an inhibitor of ACC synthase causing a corresponding decrease in ethylene biosynthesis and precursor availability.