Abstract: Methods and compositions based upon natural phenolic aromatic aldehydes (ex: cinnamaldehyde, benzaldehyde) are provided, which find use as curing agents for systemic bacterial infections of living plants, in particular against Gram negative bacteria and more particularly species of Liberibacter, including Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus. The curing agent compositions described are used synergistically with other antimicrobial compounds, such as those that plants manufacture or release as a result of biotic or abiotic stresses, including the application of the subject aldehydes, certain proteins, whether produced by recombinant methods or not, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, or by natural essential oils such as carvacrol or allicin. The aromatic aldehydes have high volatility and exhibit phytotoxicity when applied above certain amounts. Systemic infections and infestations of a variety of plant parts can be treated, including those of leaves and roots.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods and compositions useful for treating, preventing, or curing pathogen infections of living plants. In particular, the present invention teaches methods of enhancing plant response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The methods and compositions described herein are effective at treating biotrophic pathogens, including Liberibacters.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for genetic transformation of both juvenile and mature citrus. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and compositions for genetic transformation of citrus using Rhizobia-mediated DNA delivery, and also methods of enhancing the frequency of genetic transformation of mature citrus by any DNA transfer method, including Sinorhizobium. Internodal stem sections prepared from epicotyls of citrus seedlings or freshly emerging shoots of mature citrus plants (e.g., first shoots from buds of mature plants following grafting onto rootstock or very young shoots of mature plants) are preconditioned for transformation by inducing callus formation on an artificial medium. All callus and any developing meristematic regions in immediately adjacent tissue are substantially or completely removed and the preconditioned explants are then transformed by Sinorhizobium or other known methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for killing or suppressing growth of Gram-negative bacteria that infect, infest or cause disease in plants, including pathogenic, saprophytic and opportunistic microbes that cause disease in plants and food borne illness in people or in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for killing or suppressing growth of Gram-negative bacteria that infect, infest or cause disease in plants, including pathogenic, saprophytic and opportunistic microbes that cause disease in plants and food borne illness in people or in animal feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for genetic transformation of both juvenile and mature citrus. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and compositions for genetic transformation of citrus using Rhizobia-mediated DNA delivery, and also methods of enhancing the frequency of genetic transformation of mature citrus by any DNA transfer method, including Sinorhizobium. Internodal stem sections prepared from epicotyls of citrus seedlings or freshly emerging shoots of mature citrus plants (e.g., first shoots from buds of mature plants following grafting onto rootstock or very young shoots of mature plants) are preconditioned for transformation by inducing callus formation on an artificial medium. All callus and any developing meristematic regions in immediately adjacent tissue are substantially or completely removed and the preconditioned explants are then transformed by Sinorhizobium or other known methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for killing or suppressing growth of Gram-negative bacteria that infect, infest or cause disease in plants, including pathogenic, saprophytic and opportunistic microbes that cause disease in plants and food borne illness in people or in animal feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for killing or suppressing growth of Gram-negative bacteria that infect, infest or cause disease in plants, including pathogenic, saprophytic and opportunistic microbes that cause disease in plants and food borne illness in people or in animal feed.

Abstract: This invention provides: 1) methods for the identification of broad-spectrum holins with a high level of nonenzymatic activity in membranes; 2) conditions required for maintaining and increasing the anti-microbial and anti-pest efficacy of holins in gene fusions; 3) a method for effective targeting of holins expressed in plants through use of a leader peptide to direct the holin protein to the plant apoplast and xylem; 4) methods for the control of bacterial and fungal diseases of plants and control of insect and nematode pests that attack plants by expression of gene fusions involving holins, C-terminal additions and leader peptides, and optionally, endolysins; 5) methods for increasing the shelf-life of cut flowers, and 6) transgenic plants useful for the production of novel antimicrobial proteins based upon holins.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided to improve the quantity of embryos obtained by induction of somatic plant tissue. These involve the addition of effective amounts of selected amino acids, their derivatives or combinations of these as a source of reduced nitrogen, together with an optimum auxin dosage to the nutritive media used to regenerate or maintain the embryonic tissue. A synergistic effect is found by adding these amino acids either in combination or in combination with ammonium ion together with the selected auxin dosage.

Abstract: A synthetic substrate which supports the growth and development of filamentous fungi is disclosed. The substrate is comprised of a nutrient in a hydrated hydrogel matrix forming a capsule. In a preferred embodiment, the capsule has an irregular external surface to allow filamentous fungi to adhere thereto even when shaken. Also disclosed is a synthetic CACing agent which includes the synthetic substrate of the present invention, a method of manufacturing the synthetic substrate of the present invention and a method of cultivating mushroom spawn and cultivating mushrooms utilizing the synthetic substrate.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the growth of cultured plant cells which include the addition of maltose as a carbohydrate source. Additional improvements in the plant cell growth medium can be obtained by adding a source of ammonium ion to the medium to obtain a synergistic effect with the maltose.

Abstract: Novel methods are provided for the preparation and delivery of botanic seeds which are pregerminated and maintained in a hydrated state in gel capsules. Various types of botanic seeds are encapsulated, in some embodiments, with beneficial additives, in a gel matrix and pregerminated. These pregerminated seeds emerge more quickly than raw seeds from a number of planting matrices. These seeds can be encapsulated and pregerminated in variously described ways.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for the delivery of botanic seeds to an environment for growth and development. Seeds are combined with beneficial adjuvants in an encapsulating, saturated hydrogel matrix which provides a system for the simultaneous delivery of seeds and adjuvants.

Abstract: Methods and materials are provided for desiccated analogs of botanic seeds which are created by removing a portion of the water by slow or fast drying so that the plant tissue is no longer saturated with water. In a second embodiment, the meristematic tissue is encapsulated in a gel or polymer followed by dehydration. In another embodiment, the meristematic tissue is dehydrated prior to encapsulation in a gel. Protectants can be incorporated in the gel capsule. Meristematic tissue can be isolated from, for example, somatic embryos, zygotic and germ line sources.

Abstract: Method and composition for an insecticide comprising a hydrated hydrogel capsule containing an insecticidally effective amount of at least one nematode capable of infecting an insect host, which capsule has sufficient hydration to maintain the viability and infectivity of said nematode. Also disclosed are methods for providing said insecticidal compositions.

Abstract: Methods and materials are provided for coating hydrogel capsules which contain encapsulated meristematic tissue substantially free of intact seed coat with a membrane which controls the migration of solvents and their included solutes between the capsule and its environment, thereby creating an analog to natural botanic seed having an artificial seed coat which provides the benefits of natural seed coat. The membranes may be formed of a single compound or various compounds which provide control over the migration of distinct elements.

Abstract: Method and composition for an insecticide comprising a hydrated hydrogel capsule containing an insecticidally effective amount of at least one nematode capable of infecting an insect host, which capsule has sufficient hydration to maintain the viability and infectivity of said nematode. Also disclosed are methods for providing said insecticidal compositions.

Abstract: Method and composition for an insecticide comprising a hydrated hydrogel capsule containing an insecticidally effective amount of at least one nematode capable of infecting an insect host, which capsule has sufficient hydration to maintain the viability and infectivity of said nematode. Also disclosed are methods for providing said insecticidal compositions.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for the delivery of plant meristematic tissue to an environment for growth and development. Isolated meristematic tissue from various sources are combined with beneficial adjuvants in an encapsulating gel matrix which provides a system for the simultaneous delivery of meristematic tissue and adjuvants which can replace true botantic seed.