Abstract: The present invention provides a method for regeneration of somatic embryos from non-zygotic or zygotic tissue. The invention also provides a means for regeneration of cacao plantlets and plants from somatic embryos.

Abstract: The gene of the construct pTOM5 is involved in the carotenoid pathway, which produces carotenes, lutein, xanthophylls, and pigments such as lycopene. The invention proposes to modify (inhibit or promote) the synthesis of such compounds in plants using novel DNA constructs comprising a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of the gene encoded by the clone pTOM5, preceded by a plant promoter. In particular, colour of plant parts, especially fruit, may be modified. Yellow tomatoes are disclosed.

Abstract: DNA constructs useful for modifying the ripening behavior of fruit comprise a transcriptional initiation region operative in plants positioned for transcription of a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of a fruit-ripening gene encoded by either of the clones pTOM136 or pTOM66, so that the construct can generate RNA in plant cells. Also plant cells and plants transformed with such constructs.

Abstract: Plant cells are transformed by bringing them into contact with a a multiplicity of needle-like bodies on which the cells may be impaled. This causes a rupture in the cell wall allowing entry of transforming DNA either from a surrounding liquid medium or of DNA previously bound to or otherwise entrapped in the needle-like projections.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of plant enzymes, thioesterases having preferential hydrolase activity toward one or more medium-chain acyl-ACP substrates. Purification, especially the removal of substantially all other plant proteins, and use of the plant thioesterase is provided, including the use of the protein as a tool in gene isolation for biotechnological applications and a description of various uses for such nucleic acid sequences thereto.

Abstract: Process for the inhibition of the production of a gene product in a plant cell which comprises generating in the cell while the gene product is being expressed mRNA from recombinant DNA coding for part only of the gene product: also constructs for use in the process, and cells and plants that carry out the process. Specifically applicable to control of fruit ripening, in particular in tomatoes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a maize plant wherein the growth and development of said plant is tolerant of inhibition by a cyclohexanedione herbicide, an aryloxyphenoxypropanoic acid herbicide, or mixtures thereof, at levels which normally inhibit the growth and development of maize, wherein said tolerance is conferred by an altered acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) tolerant of inhibition by said herbicide at levels which normally inhibit the activity of an unaltered ACCase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for protecting or preventing a crop from injury due to the application of a combination of compounds by altering the susceptibility of the crop by incorporating a gene resistant to inhibition by at least one of the compounds in the combination into the genome of the crop.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing quantities of microbial inoculants for agricultural uses which involves preparing a medium of ground vemiculite, a nutrient and water. Wheat flour is disclosed as a preferred nutrient for fungal cultures. The medium is placed in containers, sterilized and inoculated with a microbial culture which grows out in the containers. The resulting product can be used moist or air-dried for ease in handling and storage. If the product is to be used moist, plastic bags may be used as the containers so that fermentation, formulation and packaging can all be handled in one step.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing plants exhibiting one or more desired phenotypic traits. In particular, transgenotes are selected that comprise a DNA segment operably linked to a promoter, wherein transcription products of the segment are substantially homologous to corresponding transcripts of endogenous flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes.

Abstract: A method for in vitro sexual reproduction in corn plants is described. The method involves differentiation of shoot tips with N.sup.6 -benzyladenine (BA) into ears and then ovaries and pollinating the ovaries to produce kernels. The kernels are then germinated to produce the plant. The method is particularly useful for maintaining lives of corn and for genetic manipulation by using different pollens.

Abstract: To produce substances of vegetable origin, a vegetable organ is implanted in a culture medium and is kept under hypoxia by immersion beneath a layer of oil and the substances produced are extracted from the organ, the medium and/or the oil.

Abstract: The phosphinothricin (PTC)-resistance gene isolated from the genome of Streptomyces viridochromogenes DSM 40736 is, after adaptation to the codon usage in plants, synthesized and incorporated into gene structures which make plants resistant to PTC after expression therein.

Abstract: The preparation of an uninterrupted coding sequence for phytochrome polypeptide, and its incorporation in a recombinant DNA construct containing a constitutive promoter and/or enhancer to transform plants to cause overexpression of phytochrome is described. Methods for preparing such phytochrome coding sequences by deleting the introns from genes derived from monocotyledonous plants are also described. The transgenic plants obtained using such recombinant DNA constructs exhibit a variety of useful agronomic traits.

Abstract: A method is provided for protecting a plant from nematodes and diseases associated with nematode invasion, which method comprises the step of inoculating said plant with a nematode-inhibiting strain of P. cepacia capable of colonizing said plant. The P. cepacia strain to be used should be non-pathogenic to said plant. Root inoculation of a plant with a nematode-inhibiting P. cepacia results in protection of the plant roots from nematode invasion. Foliar inoculation of the plant with these P. cepacia strains results in protection of the above-ground portions of the plant from nematode attack. Direct or indirect inoculation of seeds with nematode-inhibitory strains of P. cepacia strains can establish colonization of roots, stems and leaves of plants, and thus result in the protection of both roots and above-ground plant parts. The inoculum can be applied, for example, in the vicinity of a seed or young plant or it can be directly applied to a seed or to the above-ground parts of a young plant.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the level of free L-lysine in a plant comprising: (a) introducing a foreign gene into the cells of a plant tissue source; and (b) expressing said foreign gene in said cells, wherein a first DNA sequence of said gene encodes dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase (DHDPS) which is substantially resistant to feedback inhibition by endogenously-produced free L-lysine.

Abstract: Brassica oleracea plants having cytoplasmic male sterility and processes for their production.

Abstract: DNA constructs comprise a DNA sequence homologous to some or all of the gene encoded by the clone pTOM36. The constructs may further comprise a transcriptional initiation region operative in plants for transcribing this DNA sequence, optionally in the antisense direction to produce mRNA complementary to the pTOM36 gene. Transformed plant cells and plants may be derived from such constructs: fruit from the plants (such as tomatoes) are expected to have modified ripening properties.

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 class of heterologous dominant conditional lethal genes is disclosed. The gene is useful in genetically modifying plant cells and plants to selectively induce cellular lethality for purposes such as inducing male sterility for hybrid seed production, cell ablation and counter-negative selection.