Patents Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
  • Fruit-specific promoters
    Patent number: 11091768
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides genetic constructs containing a promoter that is useful in driving fruit-specific expression in plants. Further provided are expression vectors, transgenic plants and plant parts containing such genetic constructs, as well as uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: James G. Thomson, Roger L. Thilmony, Kasturi Dasgupta, Christopher D. Dardick
  • Transgenic corn with antifungal peptide AGM182 USDA (DN:0113.18)
    Patent number: 11083775
    Abstract: Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic, saprophytic fungus that infects maize and other fatty acid-rich food and feed crops and produces toxic and carcinogenic secondary metabolites known as aflatoxins. In vitro studies showed a five-fold increase in antifungal activity of AGM182 (vs. tachyplesin1) against A. flavus. Transgenic maize plants expressing AGM182 under maize Ubiquitin-1 promoter were produced through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR products confirmed integration of the AGM182 gene, while RT-PCR of maize RNA confirmed the presence of AGM182 transcripts. Maize kernel screening assay using a highly aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain (AF70) showed up to 72% reduction in fungal growth in the transgenic AGM182 seeds compared to isogenic negative control seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: GENVOR INC., The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Jesse Michael Jaynes, Kanniah Rajasekaran, Jeffrey W Cary, Ronald J Sayler, Rajtilak Majumdar
  • Herbicidal composition comprising chromone derivatives and a method for weed control
    Patent number: 11083197
    Abstract: An herbicidal composition comprising one or more compounds of Formula I: where R1 and R2 are H or taken together with the carbon atoms to which the are attached form a furane ring; R3 and R4 each independently represent H, —OH or —O—(C1-C4) alkyl; and R5 is H, (C1-C4) alkyl, —(C1-C2) alkylene-O-glucoside or —COOH; and an agriculturally acceptable vehicle. There is also disclosed a method for weed control by application of compounds of Formula I and the use of the composition for controlling weeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Investigaciones Biologicas en Agroquimicos Rosario S.A., The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Gustavo M. Sosa, Lucia M. Travaini, Helmut Walter, Charles Cantrell, Stephen Duke, Nestor Carrillo, Eduardo Ceccarelli
  • Insecticidal compositions and methods to kill insects
    Patent number: 11083195
    Abstract: Insecticidal compositions containing an insecticidal effective amount of erythritol and sucralose, and optionally a carrier. Insecticidal bait composition containing (a) an effective amount of the insecticidal composition, (b) one or more food materials, and (c) optionally a phagostimulant. Method for killing insects involving treating an object or area with a composition containing an insects killing effective amount of the insecticidal composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Man Y Choi, Jana C. Lee
  • Composition of entomopathogenic fungus and method of production and application for insect control
    Patent number: 11058120
    Abstract: Microsclerotia of entomopathogenic fungi, including Metarhizium species, Beauveria species, and Lecanicillium species, may be produced. These microsclerotia are effective for the control of a wide variety of insect pests, particularly soil-dwelling insect pests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Mark A. Jackson, Stefan T. Jaronski
  • Compositions and methods for producing calcined coke from biorenewable sources
    Patent number: 11060033
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing calcined coke from bio-oil from a biomass feedstock. Also disclosed are calcined cokes produced by such methods having desirable structural characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture, Rio Tinto Alcan Inc.
    Inventors: Yaseen M. Elkasabi, Hans Darmstadt, Akwasi Boateng
  • Insect water supply system
    Patent number: 11051490
    Abstract: The insect water supply system is configured to prevent the insects (such as crickets) from self-contaminating the water supplied to the insects' rearing enclosure. The system is designed so that the insects drink in an inverted (i.e. upside down) and elevated position—consequently the insects' feces fall downward toward the ground and away from their water source—and therefore do not contaminate the insects' water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Juan A. Morales Ramos, Scott L. Lee, Maria G. Rojas
  • Method for assessing juice/cider quality and/or safety
    Patent number: 11046994
    Abstract: A novel method for isolating DNA from juices and ciders is described. This method is low cost and yield large quantities of highly purified DNA even though one uses a small quantity of juice or cider. A method for determining if a juice or cider is safe to consume and/or the quality of the juice or cider are also described. For these methods, one can perform qPCR on the DNA which can be obtained using the disclosed method or any other prior art method, and comparing the amount of DNA from microorganisms is present in the juice and/or cider to determine the safety and/or quality of the juice and/or cider. These methods work even if the liquid was pasteurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Wei Zhao, Elizabeth A Baldwin, Jinhe Bai, Anne Plotto
  • Development of a novel live attenuated African Swine Fever vaccine based in the deletion of gene I177L
    Patent number: 11007263
    Abstract: Provided herein are details on the construction of a recombinant African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) live attenuated vaccine for prevention of ASF caused by various strains of ASFV, such as the highly virulent Georgia 2007 isolate (“ASFV-G”). An exemplary vaccine comprises the ASFV-G?I1771 modified virus, a recombinant ASFV-G modified by deleting a portion of the I177L ORF rendering the I177L gene nonfunctional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Douglas P. Gladue, Manuel V. Borca
  • Recombinant protein delivered as nanoparticles
    Patent number: 11000579
    Abstract: Provided herein are immunogenic compositions containing recombinant proteins capable of presenting all, or antigenic portions of, the Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella, and Eimeria acervulina IMP1 protein in developing active immunity to, and control of, coccidiosis. Also provided are methodologies of using the immunogenic compositions for administration to poultry and other animals in the control of coccidiosis. Nanoparticle-conjugated rIMP1 immunogenic compositions and methods of making and using them are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture, Board of Trustees of Souther Illinois University
    Inventors: Mark C. Jenkins, Vjollca Konjufca
  • Peptide phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers plant delivery to reduce pathogens and insect pests
    Patent number: 11001842
    Abstract: The current disclosure provides for peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) antisense oligonucleotides that target plant pathogens and insect pests by targeting the microbes within the insect pest. Methods of delivering PPMOs to bacteria in plants, in insect carriers, and to the insects via plant feeding are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture, University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne B. Hunter, Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski
  • Lignocellulosic composites prepared with aqueous alkaline and urea solutions in cold temperatures systems and methods
    Patent number: 10995452
    Abstract: Unique, inexpensive, and strong biocomposites are obtained from blending cellulose matrix materials with lignocellulosic reinforcement materials with the aid of alkaline aqueous solvent and cold temperatures. These lignocellulosic composites (LCs) are produced without use of any thermoplastic resins, adhesives, catalysts, plasticizers or complicated chemical or physical procedures. The LCs include a matrix and a reinforcement material. The matrix is a cellulose material (e.g., cotton, hemp, flax, or wood) that is liquefied using an aqueous alkaline solvent solution under cold temperatures to more readily adhere and/or incorporate/encapsulate the lignocellulosic reinforcements (wood chips, fibers, and other lignocellulosic sources).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: BRADLEY UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
    Inventors: Brent H. Tisserat, Luke Haverhals, Zengshe Liu
  • Desiccation resistant pseudomonad strains and treatment of agricultural maladies therewith
    Patent number: 10982185
    Abstract: Novel strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens are disclosed. Several novel mutated strains of Pseudomonads are engineered by repetitive culturing of a parent strain under stressed conditions. Various enriched populations are screened and ranked based on relative performance indices including viable cell yield during growth, efficacy in suppression of dry rot disease, cell growth recovery after dry storage and resistance to switchgrass hydrolysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Patricia J. Slininger, David A. Schisler, Maureen A. Shea Andersh
  • Guayule with increased rubber production and yield
    Patent number: 10982219
    Abstract: Altered guayule that produce more rubber than the amount of rubber produced by non-altered guayule are provided. The alterations may include (i) a reduction in amount of functional PaAos produced by the altered guayule, (ii) an increase in amount of a transcription factor produced by the altered guayule, (iii) an increase in amount of salicylic acid within the altered guayule, (iv) exposure of the altered guayule to cold temperature, and (v) a combination thereof. Methods of producing the altered guayule and methods of increasing the amount of rubber produced by a guayule are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Colleen M. McMahan, Maureen C. Whalen, Dante Placido, Niu Dong
  • Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine
    Patent number: 10967058
    Abstract: Compositions for prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) are provided, comprising an antigen component in the amount equivalent to 0.5-20 ?g FMD virus and an adjuvant component comprising oil, an immunostimulatory oligonucleotide, and a polycationic carrier. Methods of using the composition, as well as the methods of reducing FMD persistence are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Zoetis Services LLC, United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Dominowski, John Morgan Hardham, James Alan Jackson, Cyril Gerard Gay, Luis Leandro Rodriguez, Peter William Krug, Aida Elizabeth Rieder
  • Modular device for cutting cover crop residue
    Patent number: 10959363
    Abstract: The active coulter system includes a pivotable support structure that vertically adjusts the position of an active coulter component to compensate for changes in the contour of a target field. In the preferred embodiment, a proximity sensor and an associated controller are in electronic communication with a linear actuator assembly. Based on data from the proximity sensor, the controller sends electronic instructions to the linear actuator assembly to automatically move the active coulter component vertically. The system also optionally includes a torque/speed sensor that can operate independently to control the torque and/or power supplied to the active coulter component, or the sensor can interface with the controller and anticipate changes in power needs and increase/decrease power before the operation of the active coulter component is affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Ted S. Kornecki, Corey M. Kichler
  • Genetically altered guayule having increased rubber production and methods thereof
    Patent number: 10961541
    Abstract: Genetically altered guayule are generated which produce more rubber than the amount of rubber produced by a wild-type guayule. The genetically altered guayule plant contains an expression vector that encodes a protein involved in rubber production. Method of making and using the genetically altered guayule are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: William R. Belknap, Colleen M. McMahan, Jose A. Valdes Franco, Yong Q. Gu, Grisel P. Ponciano
  • Genetically engineered Foot and Mouth Disease Virus and related proteins, polynucleotides, compositions, methods and systems
    Patent number: 10953085
    Abstract: Genetically engineered Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) and related engineered proteins and polynucleotides, nanolipoprotein particles, compositions, methods and systems are described. The genetically engineered FMDV is modified by the strategic insertion of a protein tag into select regions of the FMDV genome which encode viral proteins that are exposed on the surface of the FMDV viral capsid. The inserted protein tag is displayed as a decoration or attachment on the viral capsid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
    Inventors: Aida E. Rieder, Teresa B. De Los Santos, Luis L. Rodriguez, Devendra Rai, Fayna C. Diaz-San Segundo, Paul D. Hoeprich
  • Planar transmission-line permittivity sensor and calibration method for the characterization of liquids, powders and semisolid materials
    Patent number: 10955514
    Abstract: A low cost planar transmission line sensor and simple calibration method for measuring the complex permittivity of materials with minimal sample preparation over a wide band of radio- and microwave frequencies. The sensor is also used for measuring anisotropic dielectric properties of materials with a defined grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Jochem T. Roelvink, Samir Trabelsi
  • Compositions and methods for attracting insects
    Patent number: 10952434
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for attracting insects (e.g., harmful or troublesome insects such as blood-sucking and biting insects, ticks and mites) to an object (e.g., insect trap) or area (e.g., field, orchard). Also disclosed are methods for attracting insects involving treating (or exposing) the object or area with a composition containing compounds described herein (e.g., a pro-fragrance compound selected from the group consisting of an acetal, a ketal, hemiacetal and mixtures thereof, wherein at least one of a parent aldehyde, ketone, or alcohol of the pro-fragrance acetal or ketal is a fragrance compound), and optionally a carrier or carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Kamlesh R. Chauhan