Abstract: Disclosed herein are media, kits, systems and methods for achieving micropropagation of bamboo on a commercially-relevant scale.

Abstract: Methods for introgressing an allele of interest of a locus associated with a yield trait into Zea mays germplasm are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a Zea mays plant that contains an allele of interest of a locus associated with a yield trait, wherein the locus associated with the yield trait is identifiable by PCR amplification of a Zea mays nucleic acid with a pair of oligonucleotides primers as disclosed herein, and introgressing the allele of interest into Zea mays germplasm that lacks the allele. Also provided are methods for identifying Zea mays plants that contain at least one allele associated with improved yield, improved maize plants, elite Zea mays plants, biomass produced from improved Zea mays plants, isolated and purified genetic markers, and compositions that include an amplification primer pair capable of amplifying a Zea mays nucleic acid to generate a Zea mays marker amplicon.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), a fungal disease associated with Phakopsora spp. The invention further includes germplasm and the use of germplasm containing quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring disease resistance for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program for resistance to ASR.

Abstract: The invention relates to the genetic manipulation of plants, particularly plants of the genus Brassica. Methods are provided for producing transgenic Brassica plants involving the introduction of a DNA construct by microprojectile bombardment into pre-incubated microspores, microspore-derived embryos and microspore-derived hypocotyls. The methods find use in the development of improved agricultural varieties of Brassica plants through the incorporation of desirable agronomic traits.

Abstract: Molecular markers genetically linked to, and capable of identifying, a genetic locus in the cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.) genome conferring a general resistance against tobamoviruses, and especially against two commercially important pathogenic tobamoviruses, i.e., cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV) are provided. Methods for providing a cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.,) plants, plant parts and fruits with resistance against tobamoviruses and especially against two commercially important pathogenic tobamoviruses, i.e., cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV) are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for transforming Camelina plants. In particular, the present invention relates to transforming Camelina sativa plants through contacting the plants to a dipping solution comprising Agrobacterium, a sugar, and a nonionic surfactant. The methods do not require a vacuum filtration step. The present invention provides, for example, useful methods for developing transformation systems for Camelina sativa that can enable manipulation of its agronomic qualities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molecular marker genetically linked to, and capable of identifying, a genetic locus in the cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.) genome conferring a general resistance against tobamoviruses, and especially against two commercially important pathogenic tobamoviruses, i.e., cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV). The present invention further relates to methods for providing a cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.), plants, plant parts and fruits with resistance against tobamoviruses, and especially against two commercially important pathogenic tobamoviruses, i.e., cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) and cucumber fruit mottle mosaic virus (CFMMV).

Abstract: The present invention relates to screening methods for rust resistance or tolerance, in particular, Asian soybean rust (ASR—Phakopsora pachyrhizi). In addition, the present invention relates to the use of molecular markers for the Glycine genus, in particular, for the Glycine max species. The present invention further relates to a method for identifying loci with quantitative and/or qualitative traits associated with rust resistance or tolerance in plants by means of molecular markers. Said markers can be used for assisted screening in improvement programs directed to selecting disease-resistant or -tolerant plants. The present invention also relates to gene pyramiding related to rust resistance. The markers of the present invention are also useful for the positional cloning of rust-resistant or -tolerant genes. Also disclosed are a method for obtaining disease-resistant or -tolerant cultivars, process for obtaining a plant population and a method for controlling diseases in a plant population.

Abstract: Crossing a winter B. napus line with a rapid-cycle B. rapa line has been discovered to provide an unexpectedly simple and efficient way to create a modified B. napus with a spring flowering habit. In one implementation, such a modified B. napus or its progeny is crossed with a second winter B. napus line to produce a plant having a winter flowering habit. This allows one to significantly shorten the development cycle for winter-flowering B. napus lines by conducting part of the breeding program with spring-flowering time cycles, then migrating the resultant germplasm back into a winter-flowering line.

Abstract: A method for producing cucumber plants which are resistant to cucumber closteroviruses. The method comprises the steps of providing a Cucumis sativus plant which contains alleles that confer resistance to the closteroviruses defined by two QTLs, crossing said C. sativus plant with C. sativus culture breeding material, collecting the seeds resulting from said cross, regenerating the seeds into plants, evaluating the plants for resistance to the closteroviruses, and identifying and selecting resistant plants. Further, a resistant cucumber plant produced by the method as well as fruit or seed produced by said plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel transformation system for generating transformed corn plants. In particular, the invention relates to a rapid selection system at an elevated temperature that allows faster and more efficient transformation.

Abstract: A genome shuffling method for autogamous plants, including producing individuals having the following three traits in a tight coupling linkage by a gene engineering technique selected from a transgenic technique and a gene targeting technique: 1) dominant male sterility, 2) chemical tolerance and 3) lethality inducible by activating an inducible promoter, selecting, from progeny of the individuals, male-sterile individuals by means of the chemical tolerance described in 2) and male-fertile individuals by means of the lethality described in 3), arranging the male-sterile individuals and the male-fertile individuals close together in flowering periods thereof, so that the male-sterile individuals are crossed with the male-fertile individuals, harvesting seeds from the male-sterile individuals, and repeating outcrossing using the seeds from generation to generation.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the detection of genetic differences among soybeans. More particularly, the invention relates to soybean quantitative trait loci (QTL) for tolerance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors, to soybean plants possessing these QTLs, which map to a novel chromosomal region, and to genetic markers that are indicative of phenotypes associated with protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor tolerance. Methods and compositions for use of these markers in genotyping of soybean and selection are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the transformation of sugar cane are provided. The methods comprise utilizing sugar cane immature shoots as the source of plant material for transformation. Segments of the immature shoot are excised and transformed by any suitable transformation methodology. In some embodiments, the segments are cultured in embryogenic culture induction medium prior to transformation. Transformation can be performed via Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery, biolistic transformation, and the like. Transgenic plants are regenerated from plantlets grown under conditions favoring growth of transformed cells while substantially inhibiting growth of non-transformed cells.

Abstract: Provided are methods for introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell comprising a cell wall. Methods are provided for genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall.

Abstract: Methods of expressing a molecule of interest in a plant are disclosed. One method comprises contacting roots of the plant in a solution comprising at least one Geminivirus based expression construct so as to allow the at least one Geminivirus based expression construct to be absorbed by the roots, the expression construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding the molecule of interest, and further the expression construct being capable of systemic symptomless spread in a plant host, thereby expressing a molecule of interest in a plant. Expression constructs capable of systemic symptomless spread in a host plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for identifying soybean plants with reduced levels of saturated fatty acids are provided. Methods of making soybean plants with reduced levels of saturated fatty acids, e.g., through introgression of desired saturated fatty acid marker alleles and/or by transgenic production methods, as well as plants or germplasm made by these methods, are provided. Kits for selecting plants with reduced levels of saturated fatty acids are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a male sterile Rucola plant obtainable by a method which may comprise the steps of providing fertile pollen from Eruca sativa to the stamen of plants that contain CMS cytoplasm, allowing plant embryo's to develop, isolating the embryo's, raising the embryo's in tissue culture to produce plant lets, growing plants from the plantlets; selecting plants that are male sterile and female fertile; backcrossing these plants with fertile pollen from Eruca sativa; selecting a plant that is male sterile and female fertile; and optionally repeating steps g) and h).

Abstract: Provided are methods for introducing a molecule of interest into a plant cell having a cell wall by using dendrimers, and optionally one or more Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs). Methods are provided for genetically or otherwise modifying plants and for treating or preventing disease in plant cells comprising a cell wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the regeneration and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants in the genera of Jatropha, more specifically, in Jatropha curcas.