Abstract: Recombinant materials for the production of tomato ACC synthase are disclosed.

Abstract: A medium for enhancing growth and availability of water and nutrients during plant growth, comprising a synthetic resin and a support material, the resin consisting essentially of a substantially-linear, non-gelling, water-soluble polymer capable of forming a water absorbing network with the support material, such that the polymer is dispersed within the material upon exposure to water and retains and transports water and nutrients for seedling growth. Use of such polyacrylamides benefits growth by retaining water, reducing evaporation loss, improving yields and enhancing nutrient uptake.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid isolate comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding, or complementary to a sequence encoding, a dihydrokaempferol (DHK) hydroxylating enzyme or derivative or part thereof. The present invention also relates to transgenic plants carrying and expressing the above mentioned nucleic acid material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetic sequences encoding flavonoid pathway metabolising enzymes and in particular flavonoid glycosylating enzymes and their use such as in manipulating production of pigmentory molecules in plants. More particularly the present invention provides a genetic sequence encoding UDP rhamnose: anthocyanidin-3-glucoside rhamnosyltransferase (3RT).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetic sequences encoding flavonoid pathway metabolising enzymes and in particular enzymes having flavonol synthase activity and their use such as in manipulating production of pigmentory molecules in plants. More particularly, the present invention provides genetic sequences encoding flavonol synthase (FLS).

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: Procedure for the production of transgenic seedlings starting from genetically transformed buds, the said seedlings belonging to the species Cucumus melo and containing at least one gene introduced through the intermediary of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, characterized by the culture in two successive stages of genetically transformed buds, the first of these steps taking place in a plant cell culture medium containing a cytokinin and more particularly 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP), and the second, which is performed when the buds have attained a height of about at least 3 mm, taking place in a plant cell culture medium containing as macro-elements:______________________________________ KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 about 50 to about 100 mgL.sup.-1 MgSO.sub.4 about 75 to about 300 mgL.sup.-1 CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O about 500 to about 2500 mgL.sup.-1 KNO.sub.3 about 750 to about 1200 mgL.sup.-1 NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 about 150 to about 200 mgL.sup.

Abstract: Genes controlling gibberellic biosynthesis are used in genetic engineering to alter plant development. Alterations in the nature or quantity of products of the genes affects plant development. A family of An genes in monocots encodes a cyclase involved in the early steps of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis. Members of the family are identified in wheat, barley, sorghum and maize. Two members of the family, the genes An1 and An2, are identified in maize. The An1 gene is cloned and the function of the gene is characterized. An2 is isolated and identified by homology to An1. Using recombinant genetic technology, GA levels are manipulated. Changes in GA levels alter monocot plant phenotypes, for example, increasing or decreasing height and fertility.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for polypeptide toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis or having substantial sequence homology to a gene coding for a polypeptide toxin as described herein and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against certain insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: A new seed-specific plant promoter is provided, capable of expressing a gene placed under control of said promoter before or during fatty acid or lipid biosynthesis in plant cells. In nature it occurs in the acyl carrier protein (ACP) gene. This opens the possibility of modifying the fatty acid synthesis in plants, which may result in changing the triacylglycerol composition of oil-containing seeds. Another option is the production of a desired protein in plants, either to improve the nutritional value of the seeds, or for the production of specific proteins that can be isolated from the fruits of plants.

Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis strain Buibui (FERM BP-3465) belonging to Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis and capable of producing insecticidal toxin proteins to kill coleopterous larvae, and an insecticide containing, as an effective ingredient, the toxin proteins produced.

Abstract: The invention includes plants having at least one cell transformed with a vector comprising at least a portion of an agamous nucleic acid. Such plants have a phenotype characterized by altered floral development such as an AG or AP2 phenotype. The invention also includes vectors comprising at least a portion of an agamous nucleic acid operably linked to a promoter other than the promoter naturally associated with the agamous nucleic acid. In an alternate embodiment, the vector comprises at least a portion of an agamous nucleic acid operably linked in an antisense orientation to a promoter. The invention also includes methods using such vectors for producing plants having altered floral development.

Abstract: Edible fruit, seed and vegetables of transgenic plants modified to produce a sweetening protein such as monellin or thaumatin are useful in preparing food compositions which have enhanced sweetness improved flavor. Expression systems for the genes encoding sweetening proteins compatible with plant systems and designed to enhance the production of these proteins in the edible portions of plants, and methods for producing sweetened fruit, seeds and vegetables are described.

Abstract: ACC synthases of higher plants are coded by multigene families; only certain members of these families are responsible for various plant development characteristics effected by ethylene. Control of the processes in plants which are mediated by ACC synthase can be effected by controlling expression of the relevant ACC synthase gene. In addition, comparison of the amino acid and nucleotide sequence of the ACC synthases from cucumber and tomato provides consensus sequences that permit the design of PCR primers that permit the isolation of ACC synthases from a variety of higher plants.

Abstract: Novel B.t. genes encoding toxins active against lepidopteran insects have been cloned from a novel lepidopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbe. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Abstract: The use of AdoMetase to reduce ethylene biosynthesis in plants is facilitated by the exploitation of the tissue and stage specific properties of the E8 promoter from tomato. Expression of AdoMetase is shown to be limited to the ripening tomato fruit. The functional properties of several regions of the E8 promoter are also described. The E8 promoter, and variants described herein, provides a useful regulatable promoter for the expression of other genes as well as the AdoMetase gene.

Abstract: The invention includes transformed plants having at least one cell transformed with a modified ETR nucleic acid. Such plants have a phenotype characterized by a decrease in the response of at least one transformed plant cell to ethylene as compared to a plant not containing the transformed plant cell. Tissue and/or temporal specificity for expression of the modified ETR nucleic acid is controlled by selecting appropriate expression regulation sequences to target the location and/or time of expression of the transformed nucleic acid. The plants are made by transforming at least one plant cell with an appropriate modified ETR nucleic acid, regenerating plants from one or more of the transformed plant cells and selecting at least one plant having the desired phenotype.

Abstract: A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a first foreign DNA sequence. The first foreign DNA sequence comprises a fertility-restorer DNA which encodes a first RNA, a protein or polypeptide that can inactivate a second RNA, protein or polypeptide in cells of the plant. The second RNA, protein or polypeptide is encoded by a sterility DNA in a second foreign DNA sequence in the plant's nuclear genome. Expression of the sterility DNA, in the absence of expression of the fertility-restorer DNA, would disturb significantly the metabolism, functioning and/or development of cells of the plant's flowers, particularly, the plant's reproductive organs, or cells of the plant's seeds or embryos in which the sterility DNA is selectively expressed, thereby rendering the plant male- or female-sterile. The first and second foreign DNA sequences also can encode suitable markers.

Abstract: A plant peptide transport gene and its nucleotide sequence are disclosed. The gene may be used to confer herbicide resistance to plants, and to render plants resistant to insect pests. The invention also relates to plants that possess non-naturally occurring alleles of peptide transport gene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method of suppressing plant gene expression. The suppression is achieved by transforming a plant with a DNA construct encoding a processing-defective RNA (pd-RNA constructs). A pd-RNA construct comprises a plant active promoter operably linked to a pd-RNA encoding segment (pd-RNA segment), wherein the pd-RNA segment comprises a sequence substantially homologous to the target gene and a defective intron and/or a defective 3' termination and processing sequence (hereinafter 3' processing sequence). The pd-RNA constructs of the present invention are designed to express target-gene-homologous RNA transcripts that are defective for messenger RNA processing. Various types of pd-RNA constructs are disclosed, including those defective for endonucleolytic cleavage or polyadenylation at the 3' end of the pd-RNA transcript and/or intron splicing. A pd-RNA construct of the invention may used to suppress a single, specific target gene or multiple target genes.