Abstract: A method for control of ethylene biosynthesis in plants comprising a vector containing a selective gene under plant promoter control, and a DNA insert comprising codons for a functional heterologous polypeptide having AdoMetase activity and flanked by a plant promoter on one side and a polyA signal sequence on the other side; and, transforming a plant host with said vector wherein the plant host transformed thereby is capable of expressing the heterologous polypeptide having AdoMetase activity under the control of said control region. The presence of the AdoMetase gene and the expression of AdoMetase in transgenic plants lowers AdoMet levels and generates an inhibitor of ACC synthase causing a corresponding decrease in ethylene biosynthesis and precursor availability.

Abstract: Carnation plant material is transformed by cocultivation with Agrobacterium cells carrying an exogenous DNA sequence. In particular, by initiating callus formation on the plant material, transformed shoots may be produced in a suitable medium. Plantlets may be produced from the shoots by initiating root formation and subsequently transferring the rooted shoots to soil.

Abstract: The chemically-inducible 27 kD subunit of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, isoform II (GST-II-27) and sequences encoding it are provided. In particular, a genomic DNA sequence encoding the gene promoter for the GST-II-27 subunit is provided. When linked to an exogenous gene and introduced into a plant by transformation, the GST-II-27 promoter provides a means for the external regulation of expression of that exogenous gene. Transformation with DNA encoding glutathione-S-transferase polypeptides produces herbicide resistance transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA sequence which encodes at least part of the tomato enzyme endopolygalacturonase PG1 beta-subunit. This DNA sequence preferably encodes a polypeptide, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of which is: E-K-H-S-G-D-I-H. In other preferred forms of the invention the DNA sequence encodes a polypeptide which includes one of the following amino acid sequences: E-K-H-S-G or N-Y-G-Q-X-F-N-E-G. The DNA sequence of the present invention may be used to produce genetically engineered tomato plants with modified ripening characteristics.

Abstract: A shortened or truncated protein toxin is provided which exhibits activity against lepidopteran insects. The truncated toxin is derived from an approximately 130 kD Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxin. Also provided is a polynucleotide sequence encoding the truncated toxin.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for genetic engineering of plant cells to provide a method of controlling the timing or tissue pattern of expression of foreign DNA sequences inserted into the plant plastid genome are provided in the instant invention. Constructs include those for nuclear transformation which provide for expression of a viral single subunit RNA polymerase in plant cell tissues, and targeting of the expressed polymerase protein into the plant cell plastids. In addition, plastid expression constructs comprising a viral gene promoter region which is specific to the RNA polymerase expressed from the nuclear expression constructs described above, and a DNA sequence of interest to be expressed in the transformed plastid cells are provided. Plant cells and plants comprising the nuclear and/or plastid constructs described herein are of interest.

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: A method for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration of soybean is disclosed. The method utilizes a cotyledon explant which is prepared by first removing the hypocotyl and then tearing the two cotyledons apart at the cotyledonary node. The explant may be inoculated with either a smear of the disarmed Agrobacterium vector or of liquid culture of the bacterium.

Abstract: A method is provided for making fruit (particularly tomatoes) having increased solids content which comprises cultivating fruit-bearing plants in which expression of genes homologous to pTOM36 is at least partially inhibited. For this purpose the fruit may be transformed with DNA constructs comprising a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of the gene encoded by the clone pTOM36. The clone is adapted to generate sense or antisense RNA under control of a plant promoter.

Abstract: Methods of creating transgenic tomatoes containing a lowered level of polygalacturonase isoform 1 are disclosed. The isolation of a DNA sequence encoding the polygalacturonase beta-subunit is disclosed. The beta-subunit sequence can be used to construct both sense and antisense plant expression constructions which can be transformed into tomato plants. The transgenic tomato plants have altered levels of polygalacturonase isoforms in that the level of isoform 1 is dramatically reduced. The resulting tomato fruit has a polygalacturonase activity level that is more heat labile, and thus more convenient for processing, and an increased level of soluble pectins.

Abstract: Synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes designed to be expressed in plants at a level higher than naturally-occurring Bt genes are provided. These genes utilize codons preferred in highly expressed monocot or dicot proteins.

Abstract: Synthetic Baccilus thuringiensis toxin genes designed to be expressed in plants at a level higher than naturally-occurring Bt genes are provided. These genes utilize codons preferred in highly expressed monocot or dicot proteins.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions are provided for regenerating untransformed or transgenic leguminous plants from thin layer explants of immature embryonic cotyledons. Transgenic plants are preferably obtained by bombarding the thin layer explants at high velocity with DNA expression cassettes adsorbed to tungsten particles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating edible plants with feed water containing carbon dioxide and ozone while maintaining a growth maintaining effective amount of oxygen therein.

Abstract: A Chimeric gene which is usable for endowing plants with resistance to a herbicide based on 3,5-dihalo-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile, comprising at least one gene coding for resistance to this herbicide, a foreign promoter and, optionally, a polyadenylation signal region, wherein the promoter originates from a gene which is naturally expressed in plant cells and is chosen from the group comprising the promoter of the 35 S RNA for cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV 35S) and the promoter of the small subunit (SSU) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO).

Abstract: Certain isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) have been found to have activity against scarab pests. These isolates are designated B.t. PS86B1, B.t. PS43F and B.t. PS50C. These isolates, or transformed hosts containing the gene expressing a scarab-active toxin obtained from the isolates, can be used to control scarab-active pests, e.g., masked chafer, Cyclocephala sp., June beetle, Cotinis sp., northern masked chafer, Cyclocephala borealis, Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, and Pasadena masked chafer, Cyclocephala pasadenae, in various environments.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods useful for genetic engineering of plant cells to provide increased expression in the plastids of a plant or plant cell of the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal protein.

Abstract: Novel herbicide resistance has been introduced into rice plants, making the plants resistant to herbicides which normally interfere with a plant's acetohydroxyacid synthase. For the first time it is possible to selectively control the weed called "red rice" in commercial rice fields by planting rice varieties incorporating the novel herbicide resistance, and treating the field with herbicide.

Abstract: DNA segments encoding the Erwinia herbicola enzymes geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthase and phytoene synthase, vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes and phytoene by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

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.