Abstract: A method for making a genetically modified plant comprising regenerating a whole plant from a plant cell that has been transfected with DNA sequences comprising a first gene whose expression results in an altered plant phenotype linked to a transiently active promoter, the gene and promoter being separated by a blocking sequence flanked on either side by specific excision sequences, a second gene that encodes a recombinase specific for the specific excision sequences linked to a repressible promoter, and a third gene that encodes the repressor specific for the repressible promoter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering cottonseed from the lint in batch quantities for planting purposes. The system utilizes a dilute acid approach and provides for gradual mixing of the fuzzy seed and a dilute acid solution followed by batch drying and hydrolysis in a rotating drum reaction chamber in which heated air at a controlled temperature is circulated. The process conditions and the flight pattern of the fuzzy seed within the rotating drum are controlled to avoid trauma to the seed and thereby assure suitability of the recovered seed for planting purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delinting cottonseed using hydrogen chloride gas derived from hydrogen chloride stored at high pressure. The hydrogen chloride gas is expanded and reduced to a pressure in the range of but above atmospheric pressure, then heated in a heat exchanger, passed through a flow meter for regulating the flow rate and controlling the amount hydrogen gas introduced for processing a batch of fuzzy cottonseed, and then introduced into a rotating drum reaction chamber along with a measured quantity of fuzzy seed to be delinted. The expansion process and heat exchange processes are controlled to produce a gas pressure and temperature range at the inlet to the drum reaction chamber which substantially increases yields over the prior art systems, provides substantially complete absorption of the gas by the seed thereby avoiding gas leakage from the system when the treated seed is removed from the reaction chamber and further avoids the need for further treatment of the seed with anhydrous ammonia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering cottonseed from the lint in batch quantities for planting purposes. The system utilizes a dilute acid approach and provides for gradual mixing of the fuzzy seed and a dilute acid solution followed by batch drying and hydrolysis in a rotating drum reaction chamber in which heated air at a controlled temperature is circulated. The process conditions and the flight pattern of the fuzzy seed within the rotating drum are controlled to avoid trauma to the seed and thereby assure suitability of the recovered seed for planting purposes.

Abstract: A method of delinting cotton seed comprises the steps of passing the cotton seed through a saw delinter to remove a substantial portion of the lint, preferably at least 40%, therefrom, and thereafter passing the partially delinted seed through a brush delinter to remove substantially all of the remaining lint therefrom.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seed is passed through two saw delinting stages to remove more than about 40% in the first stage and up to about 20% or more in the second stage, whereby more than about 60% of the lint is removed in the two saw delinting stages. Subsequent passage of the seed through a brush delinter removes additional lint so that up to 97% of the lint is removed in the combination of the saw delinting and brush delinting steps. An optional further step of passing the seed through a flamer can be used to remove the remaining approximately 3% of the lint.

Abstract: A flame treatment apparatus for use in delinting cottonseed comprises a generally vertical stack having a horizontal toothed seed feed roller rotatably mounted across its upper end and gas burners providing a flame curtain across the stack passage through which the seeds to be cleaned drop. The stack walls are dual to provide an annular space surrounding the flame treatment passage and cooling air is passed through that space.

Abstract: Cotton seed is delinted in a continuous system wherein dilute acid is sprayed onto a moving agitated horizontal column of seed while controlling the weight ratio of dilute acid to seed and then the wet seed is partially dried by being conveyed by a hot air stream to a cyclone as a flash drying operation and then formed into a horizontal moving column which is agitated by the combined action of (a) a combination conveyor-agitator and (b) the transverse passage of hot drying air to complete drying and then subjected to a scrubbing operation wherein the degraded fibers are removed and the fibers, other very light particles and odors are removed from the seed mass by an exhaust system.