Abstract: The current invention provides plant promoter sequences. Compositions comprising the promoter sequence are described, as are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the promoters by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods.

Abstract: The current invention provides plant promoter sequences. Compositions comprising the promoter sequence are described, as are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the promoters by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of host cells such as plant cells. Plant expression constructs comprising a gene encoding a VIP2 or VIP2-like polypeptide are provided, as well as methods for utilizing such constructs to enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides crystalline O-methyltransferases and isolated non-native O-methyltransferases as well as sets of their structural coordinates. Also provided are methods of predicting the activity or substrate specificity of putative O-methyl-transferases, methods of identifying potential substrates of O-methyltransferases, and methods of identifying potential inhibitors of methyltransferases.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated culture of a Neotyphodium endophyte of an Elymus canadensis host plant, wherein the endophyte reproduces asexually and enhances the agronomic characteristics of the host plant. Methods for inoculating the host plant with the endophyte, for propagating the host-endophyte combination, and for detecting the presence of the endophyte and of its metabolites within a host plant are also described.

Abstract: Methods for transforming forage legumes or woody plants with a DNA construct comprising at least one open reading frame encoding for a caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase enzyme and a caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase enzyme or fragment thereof in either a sense or antisense orientation under a lignification-associated tissue specific promoter have been found, resulting in the down-regulation of the corresponding homologous gene either through antisense inhibition or sense suppression, as well as reduced lignin content and modified lignin composition in the transgenic plants. The expression of the caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase transgene produces an increased syringyl lignin to guaiacyl lignin ratio in the transformed plant, and greatly improved forage digestibility.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased proanthocyanidin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content. The invention may also be used to modify plant pigmentation, and for nutraceutical and food colorant production.

Abstract: The invention provides bifunctional plant biosynthetic enzymes that increase the efficiency by which modification can be made to plant biosynthetic pathways. In certain aspects of the invention, bifunctional isoflavone biosynthetic enzymes are provided. The invention therefore allows the modification of plants for isoflavone content. The inventors have demonstrated increased isoflavone biosynthesis can be obtained even in non-legume plants.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of flavanone and/or isoflavone production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of isoflavones in particular in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. The invention overcomes limitations of the prior art which prevented accumulation of high levels of isoflavones in plants.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of condensed tannin production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of condensed tannins in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased condensed tannin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content. The invention may also be used to modify plant pigmentation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing lignin content and improving lignin profiles. Also provided are the plants prepared by the methods of the invention. Such plants may exhibit improved digestibility relative to prior plants.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of condensed tannin production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of condensed tannins in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased condensed tannin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content. The invention may also be used to modify plant pigmentation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for transforming monocotyledonous plants with Agrobacterium, for example, using stolons as a target tissue. The invention allows creation of transgenic plants without the need for callus as a target tissue for transformation, thus providing a rapid method for the production of transgenic plants. The ability to directly regenerate transgenic plants from stolons significantly reduces the time, labor and other complications required to produce transgenic plants. Plants produced by such methods are also provided by the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides plants with delayed flowering and methods of making such plants. Also provided are constructs comprising nucleic acids for making these plants. The invention is significant in that plants with delayed flowering may exhibit increased nutritional value and cold tolerance. Delayed flowering will also find use in plant breeding methods.

Abstract: The invention provides secreted plant phytase coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects of the invention, transgenic plants are provided exhibiting improved phosphorous utilization. Additionally, the invention provides methods for increasing phosphorous utilization in plants and bioremediation of phosphorous in soil and water.

Abstract: The current invention provides plant promoter sequences. Compositions comprising the promoter sequence are described, as are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the promoters by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods and compositions for modulating gene function in plants. In particular, the invention provides methods and compositions that allow efficient induction of virus-induced gene silencing in plants. The invention is significant in that it allows high throughput analysis of gene function in plants.

Abstract: The invention provides plant isoflavonoid hydroxylase coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects of the invention, plants transformed with the nucleic acids are provided exhibiting improved pest and disease resistance. Plants provided by the invention may also exhibit improved nutritional qualities.

Abstract: Methods of genetically manipulating biology active 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoids have been found based upon the regiospecifity of isoflavone 7-OMT in vivo. Upon transformation and expression of an isoflavonoid O-methyltransferase gene, up-regulation of IOMT in the transgenic plants can be used to increase the accumulation of 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoid phytolalexins, providing for increased disease resistance to the plant. Similar methods can be used to increase accumulation of 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoid nutraceuticals in plants. For down-regulation of IOMT in plants that naturally make 4?O-isoflavonoid phytoalexins and 4?-O-methylated isoflavonoid nutraceuticals, IOMT gene sequences can be transformed in the antisense orientation.

Abstract: The invention provides plant acid phosphatase coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects of the invention, transgenic plants are provided exhibiting improved phosphorous utilization.