Abstract: Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FDA) is an enzyme reversibly catalyzing the reaction converting triosephosphate into fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. In the leaf, this enzyme is located in the chloroplast (starch synthesis) and the cytosol (sucrose biosynthesis). Transgenic plants were generated that express the E. coli fda gene in the chloroplast to improve plant yield by increasing leaf starch biosynthetic ability in particular and sucrose production in general. Leaves from plants expressing the fda transgene showed a significantly higher starch accumulation, as compared to control plants expressing the null vector, particularly early in the photoperiod, but had lower leaf sucrose. Transgenic plants also had a significantly higher root mass. Furthermore, transgenic potatoes expressing fda exhibited improved uniformity of solids.

Abstract: Regulatory sequences derived from a maize root preferential cationic peroxidase gene (Per5), including the promoter, introns, and the 3′ untranslated region, are useful to control expression of recombinant genes in plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA constructs which are capable of conferring on a plant inducible resistance to a herbicide. The inducible effect may be achieved by using a gene switch such as the alcA/alcR switch derived from A. nidulans. The invention relates in particular to inducible resistance to the herbicide N-phosphonomethyl glycine (glyphosate) and its salts.

Abstract: The identification of the maize Bx1 gene involved in benzoxazinone biosynthesis activity is described. This Bx1 gene, as well as other benzoxazinone biosynthesis genes, provide valuable tools for the production of plants with enhanced expression profiles of bezoxazinone synthesis, and therefore, resistance to insect infestation.

Abstract: The invention provides enhancers for one or more gene promoters, which enhancers are nucleotide sequences rich in A and T bases, the total amount of A and T bases comprising more than 50% of the nucleotide sequence. Particular sequences are identified from the pea plastocyanin promoter which are active as enhancers, as is a solely A/T nucleotide sequence, and methods of carrying out the invention are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to transformed, embryogenic microspores and progeny thereof characterized by being transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, capable of leading to non-chimeric transformed haploid or doubled haploid embryos that develop into fertile homozygous plants within one generation and containing stably integrated into their genome a foreign DNA, said DNA being characterized in that it comprises at least one gene of interest and at least base pairs within the right border sequence of Agrobacterium T-DNA. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the incorporation of foreign DNA into chromosomes of microspores comprising the following steps: a) infecting of embryogenic microspores with Agrobacteria, which contain plasmid carrying a gene of interest under regulatory control of initiation and termination regions bordered by at least one T-DNA border, b) Washing out and killing the Agrobacteria after co-cultivation.

Abstract: Methods for producing genetically modified plants, particularly woody plants, and most particularly plants of the Eucalyptus and Pinus species, involve transformation of target plant material with a desired genetic construct and regeneration of the transformed plant material using an adventitious shoot bud system. The methods provide a high transformation efficiency and substantially reduce the duration of the transformation and regeneration protocols. Stem segments of a target plant are transformed using Agrobacterium-mediated techniques, and adventitious shoot buds are regenerated from the Agrobacterium-infected stem segments. Preferred culture media, including selection media, and improved plant culture techniques are disclosed.