Abstract: A method for protecting a plant from high temperature stress (HTS), comprising transforming the plant with a polynucleotide sequence. The polynucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a sugar kinase under the control of an anther and/or pollen specific promoter, thereby producing a transformed plant having improved tolerance to HTS. Also disclosed is the polynucleotide sequence of the LeFRK4 promoter.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating agricultural produce from stones and clods including at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly arranged to be impinged upon by a mixture of agricultural produce and at least one of stones and clods, the at least one generally cylindrical separation assembly including a plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions and a mounting assembly supporting the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the mounting assembly including a metal principal support and at least one intermediate metal support element fixed to the metal principal support and to at least some of the plurality of generally mutually contiguous curved impact portions, the at least one intermediate metal support element having a resiliency greater than a resiliency of the metal principal support.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleotide sequences responsible for the tomato high pigment 1 (hp-1) and high pigment 1w (hp-1w) phenotypes, wherein said sequences comprises an altered tomato DDB1 gene sequence or fragment thereof, wherein said the alteration in said altered sequence or fragment comprises an A-to-T transversion at nucleotide 931 of said DDB1 gene sequence in the case of hp-1 and a G-to-A transition at nucleotide 2392 of said DDB1 gene sequence in the case of hp-1w.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzymes, compositions and methods for catalyzing asymmetric recombination of non-palindromic recombination sites in a cell free system, in isolated cells or in living organisms. The enzymes and methods of the invention are suitable for mediating specific recombinations between DNA sequences comprising specific recombination sites without being limited to strict palindromic symmetry within each recombination site.

Abstract: A circulatory long-lived cholinesterase (ChE) protein, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which is a ChE protein modified with a non-antigenic polymer. The ChE may be AChE, such as native AChE of mammalian origin or of non-mammalian origin, or recombinant AChE. The recombinant AChE may be mutated at one or more amino-acid residues. The BChE may be native BChE of mammalian origin or of non-mammalian origin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying alkaline-?-galactosidases. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having an alkaline-?-galactosidase activity, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs derived from the polynucleotide sequences, peptides and peptide analogues, antibodies recognizing same and methods of using same.

Abstract: A nucleic acid construct or construct system which includes (i) a first polynucleotide encoding endochitinase, (ii) a second polynucleotide encoding stilbene synthase and (iii) a third polynucleotide encoding superoxide dismutase. In addition, banana cells transformed with the nucleic acid construct or construct system, banana plants generated therefrom and methods of producing same.

Abstract: There are provided novel plant-derived enzymes for hydrolysis of sugars and particularly an alkaline alpha-galactosidase which hydrolyzes a broad spectrum of galactosyl-saccharides such as melibiose, raffinose and stachyose and guar gum, at neutral to alkaline pH conditions.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a microbiocidal aqueous formulation comprising: (i) an effective amount of at least one essential oil component, or derivatives thereof, said derivatives thereof obtained by exposure to light or by oxidation, or mixtures thereof; and (ii) at least one additional stabilizer selected from the group consisting of ethanol in an amount of from 10% to about 50%, an emulsifier, an antioxidant, or an encapsulating agent. The invention is further directed to a method for inhibiting microbial development using said microbiocidal aqueous formulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides pepper plants having edible fruit with altered vitamin content, specifically fruit comprising an elevated content of vitamin E, further comprising at least one of an elevated content of pro-vitamin A, an elevated content of vitamin C and combinations thereof. The concentration of vitamin E is at least 5 mg/100 g fresh weight, and the plants are selected to be lacking molecular markers linked to undesirable traits.

Abstract: A method of increasing a fraction of free carotenoids in a source of carotenoids in which at least some of the carotenoids are fatty acid esterified carotenoids is disclosed. The method is effected by contacting the source of carotenoids with an effective amount of an esterase under conditions effective in deesterifying the fatty acid esterified carotenoids, thereby increasing the fraction of free carotenoids in the source of carotenoids.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting pomegranate seeds from pomegranates including a pomegranate breaker operative for breaking open pomegranates generally without cutting pomegranate seeds at the interior of the pomegranates and a pomegranate seed extractor operative to engage broken open pomegranates for separating the pomegranate seeds from other parts of the pomegranates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engrafted plants comprising a transgenic rootstock resistant to a viral disease and a susceptible scion, wherein the resistance to the disease is conferred to the scion from the transgenic viral-resistant rootstock, such that the entire engrafted plant is resistant to the viral disease. The invention also relates to methods of producing the engrafted viral-resistant plants and the plants produced thereof.

Abstract: Paprika cultivars being characterized by fruits having total carotenoids content higher than 10 mg/g dry fruit weight and a branching pattern suitable for mechanical harvesting and methods and systems generating same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic Ficus plants, particularly Ficus carica (fig tree), to a method for producing same, and to Ficus plants, plant materials and plant products produced by or from such genetically modified plant material. More specifically, the present invention relates to transgenic Ficus carica plants and use thereof for producing trees having improved agricultural traits and for the production of foreign proteins and edible vaccines.

Abstract: An NIR spectroscopy fluid analyzing system using a series of LED's, each having its own preselected center wavelength, as illumination sources. These wavelengths have overlapping spectral widths, such that the measurement covers a broad spectrum. The LED's illuminate the fluid sample sequentially, and subsequently the transmission absorbance through the sample and the reflectance or scattering from the sample is measured for the wavelength range of each LED. The measurements are performed using photodetectors. The concentrations of component parts of the fluid are expressed in the form of a polynomial, which is a function of the measured transmitted and/or reflected intensities, and of empirical coefficients, which are extracted by prior statistical analysis on measured intensities obtained from a large number of test samples having known concentrations of the component. A novel sample chamber, capable of performing optical absorption measurements on a flowing sample of fluid, is described.

Abstract: A method of increasing a fraction of free carotenoids in a source of carotenoids in which at least some of the carotenoids are fatty acid esterified carotenoids is disclosed. The method is effected by contacting the source of carotenoids with an effective amount of an esterase under conditions effective in deesterifying the fatty acid esterified carotenoids, thereby increasing the fraction of free carotenoids in the source of carotenoids.

Abstract: A multi-purpose structure, especially useful as a greenhouse or other plant-protective structure, comprising; (a) a framework comprising a plurality of vertical supports, said vertical supports being arranged in rows that extend the entire width of the structure, wherein each of said rows contains at least two vertical supports having substantially the same height, said framework further comprising a plurality of connecting members that connect the vertical supports in a row to one another at junction points located at the tops of said supports; the framework further comprises a plurality of permanent cross strips extending perpendicularly to said connecting members; (b) at least one flexible sheet adapted to be weaved through said connecting members and extending the entire length of the framework so as to form at least a part of a roof of said framework.

Abstract: A method for breeding tomato plants that produce tomatoes with reduced fruit water content including the steps of crossing at least one Lycopersicon esculentum plant with a Lycopersicon spp. to produce hybrid seed, collecting the first generation of hybrid seeds, growing plants from the first generation of hybrid seeds, pollinating the plants of the most recent hybrid generation, collecting the seeds produced by the most recent hybrid generation, growing plants from the seeds of the most recent hybrid generation, allowing plants to remain on the vine past the point of normal ripening, and screening for reduced fruit water content as indicated by extended preservation of the ripe fruit and wrinkling of the fruit skin.

Abstract: A new and distinct Narcissus plant named ‘Ariel’ particularly characterized by having 10 to 15 flowers per stem; white flower; flower diameter 54-57 mm, length of outer perianth segment: 24-27 mm; width of outer perianth segment 21-23; and mild fragrance.