Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of pest infestation by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase and of vitellogenin, as well as through the expression of the toxin Cry8ka5. The invention further provides method and compositions for controlling pests, by feeding the pest with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provided by the present invention, as well as double-stranded RNA molecule provided by the present invention, as well as through the action of the toxin Cry8ka5 on the target insect. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules and the toxin protein Cry8ka5. The present invention is preferably used for cotton plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide sequence capable of efficiently modifying the expression of one or more genes of interest in leaves, in particular in plants of the Glycine genus, and the tools to obtain genetically-modified plants using this sequence and the use thereof. The usage possibilities of the invention are broad, prominently, the creation of new plant varieties resistant to diseases and leaf-attacking pests, expression of transgenes that increase the photosynthetic efficiency of the plant, guiding the expression of proteins of interest as antibodies and drugs that may easily be isolated from leaves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new promoter of the expression of genes in plants. More specifically, the invention relates to regulatory sequences of polynucleotides that are isolated from soy plants and can initiate and activate polynucleotide transcription, and to the use of these regulatory sequences to modify the transcription of endogenous and/or heterologous polynucleotides and to produce polypeptides. The invention further describes DNA constructs that contain the promoter of the gene of the supposed flavonol-sulfotransferase protein in soy plants, which promoter is functionally linked to a heterologous and/or endogenous gene. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of these constructs in the form of expression cassettes, expression vectors, recombinant vectors and in plants, plant cells or transgenic protoplasts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water tension sensor with a non-sintered core that allows batches of similar and standard sensors to be manufactured in a simple manner, for operation with air and with an air flow outlet, which sensor can be used to read water tension and trigger dripping. The sensor according to the invention is ideal for manually reading soil water tension and for automating irrigation systems based on a static pressure or gas propulsion mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of infestation of pests by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase. The invention further provides methods and compositions for controlling pests by feeding them with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provides by the present invention. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules. The present invention is preferably used for cotton-plants.

Abstract: The present invention falls into the context of green chemistry and generically relates to a fertilizing and phytoprotective formulation and, in particular embodiment, to a film forming formulation that induces resistance to plants. The respective formulation, when applied to plants and/or fruits, results in the formation of a film on the surface of the material, which has a characteristic of photoprotection against UV-B and UV-C radiations, resistance kept in water, even after high hygroscopicity, greater stability at high ambient temperatures, formation of desired porosity and surface homogeneity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generically to compositions used for controlling agricultural pests and, in a particular embodiment, to compositions usable for combating nematodes. The invention presents a feasible alternative to the use of nematotoxic compounds that are harmful to the environment and that may damage human health. This alternative is embodied through a nematotoxic composition for controlling nematodes and that may be used on plants, parts of plants and on the soil. The respective technology results from unexpected results achieved from experiments carried out with extracts of the plant Canavalia ensiformis, resulting in an unheard-of nematotoxic composition comprising a specific combination of substances that are naturally found in the extract and that act synergistically.

Abstract: The present invention relates generically to compositions used for controlling agricultural pests and, in a particular embodiment, to compositions usable for combating nematodes. The invention presents a feasible alternative to the use of nematotoxic compounds that are harmful to the environment and that may damage human health. This alternative is embodied through a nematotoxic composition for controlling nematodes and that may be used on plants, parts of plants and on the soil. The respective technology results from unexpected results achieved from experiments carried out with extracts of the plant Canavalia ensiformis, resulting in an unheard-of nematotoxic composition comprising a specific combination of substances that are naturally found in the extract and that act synergistically.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a promoter sequence specific for expression of genes of interest in fruit endosperm. The invention further describes DNA constructs that contain the promoter, as well as the method using such constructs to produce transgenic plants, plant cells or protoplasts. The expression of the transgene only in the organ of interest enables accumulation of the exogenous transcript only in the fruit and constitutes an advantage over the constitutive expression, since it favors implementation of strategies that aim at obtaining cultivars having higher aggregate value like: adaptation to environmental stress, tolerance to pathogens, pests and agricultural defensives, increase in the nutritional and therapeutic value and a new alternative to systems of expression in plant organism, generating more competitive cultivars at lower costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for measuring cell turgor pressure (dendroturgometer), which can also operate as a firmometer. The system can also be used as an automatic dripper, wherein in this embodiment it is kept pressed by means of a flattening plate (1) against the organ (4), as well as by employing a brace (6) provided with a spring (5) that applies stable force of a magnitude higher than the product between the water pressure, regulated by a pressure adjuster (10) and the fluid layer (2) under the membrane (3), on which the plant exerts compression and obstructs the water flow. The dripping is started when the transpiration provides a drop in the cell turgor pressure of the plant, so that the resulting pressure will be lower than the adjusted water pressure. This system may also be miniaturized and used for measuring the vegetable turgor pressure by using water pressurization with an plunger (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of insect pests control, using methods and compositions which comprise of alpha-amylase analogous mutant inhibitors (?AIs). More specifically, the invention provides new ?AIs analogous mutant molecules for controlling insect pests, in particular boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis), partially or totally presenting reduction of the amylolytic activity of the digestive enzymes in the intestinal lumen of the insect. Other aspects of the invention include gene constructs containing the nucleic acid molecules that code for the alpha-amylase inhibitors, heterologous expression methods of the new molecules in the active form, and the use of these molecules for controlling insect pests. The invention also provides analogous synthetic genes optimized for their transformation and expression in plants.

Abstract: The Present invention relates to molecules isolated from the nucleic acid that encodes spider web proteins or fragments of these or other derivatives of these. The invention also refers to a chimerical gene and an expression vector containing molecules isolated from the nucleic acid that codes for proteins related to the webs of Nephilengys, Cruentata, Avicularia Juruensis and Parawixia Bistriata spiders. Another embodiment of the present invention are transformed cells containing a chimerical gene or an expression vector of the present invention. Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for obtaining genetically modified organisms containing inventive chimerical genes or expression vectors and a method for obtaining recombinant proteins from the silks of Nephilengys, Cruentata, Avicularia Juruensis and Parawixia Bistriata spiders. Finally, the invention describes products, such as biofilaments and compositions, using the recombinant proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The objective of the current invention is the control of agricultural infestations based on alternative methods that are less aggressive to the environment and that are harmless to other invertebrates and to man; for instance biological control using bacterial strains belonging to species of the genera Bacillus, Brevibacillus and/or Paenibacillus. A first embodiment of the invention refers to compositions based on the systemic utilization of bacterial strains belonging to species of the genera Bacillus, Brevibacillus and/or Paenibacillus to protect plants by using the composition containing the above referred bacteria in wild-type, conjugated, mutant or transgenic forms and/or the substances produced by them. A second embodiment of the invention refers to a method of bioinsecticide application based on bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Brevibacillus and/or Paenibacillus.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of AT(n) insertions in promoter elements for controlling the expression levels of coding sequences in plants. The expression levels of the heat shock protein (Gmhsp17.6-L), when compared in resistant and susceptible individuals in the population, demonstrated that the largest expression levels per quantitative PCR were present in the individuals that contained the largest AT insertions in the promoter region. The invention also refers to gene expression cassettes containing promoter regions of the gene with different numbers of AT insertions fused to the GUS protein, for transforming soybean embryos.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bacterial formulation in vegetable fiber materials, which can be employed by incorporation into soils and by treating seeds, as well as in nutrient in hydroponic systems, for the promotion of plant growth and/or the biologic control of diseases. Preferably, the formulation of the present invention employs coconut fiber. An advantage of the present invention is the possible replacement of turf and other organic or inorganic materials employed in the formulation of inoculants and of agents for the biologic control of bacteria and fungi by coconut fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying target regions existing in the interface of monomers constituting the PiIT protein with the view to design molecules potentially applicable in impairing the activity of this protein, thus controlling infectious processes. The method is characterized in (i) selecting at least one amino acid sequence constituting the PiIT monomer; (ii) developing a three-dimensional computational model of the PiIT homo-hexameric structure; (iii) analyzing and determining, with computer aid, the interface-forming residues (IFR) and their physicochemical and structural characteristics for all the chains of the models of hexameric complexes generated; (iv) selecting the regions to be used as therapeutic targets (and preferred therapeutic targets) in the interface between the monomers based on the intensity of determined parameters; (v) computer-aided design of molecules potentially capable of effecting bindings and/or interactions between target regions of the monomers.

Abstract: Biological nitrogen fixation is a very important process to plant growth and health. Biological nitrogen fixation is performed naturally by a number of different microorganisms including plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and rhizobia. The present invention discloses novel compositions comprising water soluble polymers, rhizobium and plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria. Uses of the novel composition include treatment of seeds prior to planting and use in soil surrounding roots to improve plant growth and health.

Abstract: Provided is a harvesting module including twin parallel rotating shafts. The rotating shafts each have impact rods that are configured to rotation in opposite directions. The shafts are sloped so that one end of the shafts is closer to the ground than another end of the shafts. The rods are fixed to the shafts in a spiral formation using a series of self locking rings fitted over the shafts.

Abstract: Provided is a harvesting module including twin parallel rotating shafts. The rotating shafts each have impact rods that are configured to rotation in opposite directions. The shafts are sloped so that one end of the shafts is closer to the ground than another end of the shafts. The rods are fixed to the shafts in a spiral formation using a series of self locking rings fitted over the shafts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging method for increasing the shelf life of fungal spores and to the packaging that contains such spores. The packaging method comprises the steps of pre-drying the spores to a water activity range viable for the fungus of interest, followed by packing of the spores into gas- and water-vapour-impermeable packaging by means of the use of sachets, thereby providing an atmosphere of low relative humidity and low oxygen content, followed by keeping of the spores in the packaging for a certain period of time at the temperature suitable for the spores prior to the exposure thereof to high temperatures.