Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polysaccharide synthases. More particularly, the present invention relates to (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan synthases. The present invention provides, among other things, methods for influencing the level of (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan produced by a cell and nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which encode (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan synthases.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression cassette comprising a functional anther specific promoter nucleic acid molecule, homologous to the Ta39 promoter of tobacco, as well as functional homologues, orthologues and fragments of said functional anther specific promoter nucleic acid molecule. Also contemplated, are recombinant plasmids, plant cells and cell lines, transgenic plants and propagating material comprising the functional anther specific promoter nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: A method of harvesting crop material comprising gathering the crop material and separating chaff material, and subjecting the chaff material to fragmentation in a cage mill to destroy unwanted seed material contained therein. An agricultural apparatus comprising a mobile apparatus (15) adapted to travel with a harvesting machine (13) during a harvesting operation to receive chaff material produced during the harvesting operation, the mobile apparatus (15) comprising at least one cage mill (21) having a plurality of rotors (51 and 52) for fragmentation of the chaff material to destroy unwanted seed material contained therein.

Abstract: The specification provides methods of obtaining a genetically modified plant which has increased production potential compared to a control plant, the method comprising the steps of i) obtaining a plurality of plants at least one of which comprises in its genome a heterologous polynucleotide, ii) identifying from the plurality of plants a plant which has increased production potential relative to the control plant and comprises the heterologous polynucleotide, and iii) selecting the genetically modified plant, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a transcriptional control sequence operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an agent that modifies endogenous starch phosphorylation and/or starch degradation in the plant. In some embodiments, the plant has increased endogenous glycosylase or increased digestibility compared to a control plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to transcriptional control sequences for effecting expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant. The present invention is predicated, in part, on the identification and functional characterisation of transcriptional control sequences derived from genes which encode polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and homologs thereof. Among other things, the present invention has identified that transcriptional control sequences derived from the subject genes can effect specific or preferential expression of an operably connected nucleotide sequence in a reproduction-associated plant part such as a seed or anther.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to transcriptional control sequences. Generally, the present invention relates to transcriptional control sequences that specifically or preferentially direct expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant egg cell. The present invention is predicated, in part, on the identification of transcriptional control sequences derived from EC1 genes which, in preferred embodiments, direct preferential expression in an egg cell of at least one plant taxon.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and transcriptional control sequences suitable for effecting expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and transcriptional control sequences suitable for directing specific or preferential expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant seed. Of particular interest as a transcriptional control sequence in this invention is the promoter PR602 (SEQ ID NO: 1) found in the 5?-untranslated region of the rice END1-like gene and isolated from a rice panicle library.

Abstract: The present invention provides as isolated anther specific promoter nucleic acid molecule homologous to the Ta39 promoter of tobacco. Also contemplated are uses of the nucleic acid molecule to direct expression of a heterologous nucleic acid molecule to anther and/or pollen of a plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polysaccharide synthases. More particularly, the present invention relates to (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan synthases. The present invention provides, among other things, methods for influencing the level of (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan produced by a cell and nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which encode (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan synthases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid and non-evasive method of monitoring dough development and dough mixing properties using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of measuring the change in constituents of a grain flour dough during mixing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a nucleic acid molecule encoding, or complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding, a polypeptide which confers, enhances, or otherwise facilitates resistance to a nematode in a plant cell. The nucleic acid molecule of the present invention is useful in the isolation of related nematode resistance, or nematode resistance-like genetic sequences, from other plants. Furthermore, the present invention provides for the generation of plants carrying non-endogenous nematode resistance, or nematode resistance-like genetic sequences, said plants exhibiting enhanced tolerance to parasitic nematodes and related pathogens.