Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials that enhance a plant's resistance to certain pathogens. A novel pathway is described and has been designated with the acronym, SI-SAR pathway, for salicylic acid-independent systemic acquired resistance. DNA constructs and methodologies are provided that facilitate the identification of compounds that activate this pathway. Methods are provided to enable the identification of novel genes and signaling components that are expressed when the SI-SAR pathway is activated. Transgenic plants with altered expression of these novel genes or signaling components of the pathway are expected to have enhanced resistance to plant pathogens. Also provided is a novel, pathogen-induced epoxide hydrolase that is inducible in the absence of SA.

Abstract: A novel nucleic acid sequence encoding Aspergillus phoenices oxalate decarboxylase (APOXD) has been determined, as well as the encoded amino acid sequence. The gene and its encoded protein are useful in degrading oxalate, in diagnostic assays of oxalate, and as a selectable marker.

Abstract: A method for producing salt-tolerant and/or osmotolerant plants, which comprises the step of transforming a plant with a recombinant vector carrying a gene encoding choline oxidase, as well as the salt-tolerant and/or osmotolerant plants produced by said method or a progeny thereof having the same properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of imparting pathogen resistance to plants. This involves applying a hypersensitive response elicitor polypeptide or protein in a non-infectious form to a plant seed under conditions where the polypeptide or protein contacts cells of the plant seed. The present invention is also directed to a pathogen resistance imparting plant seed. Alternatively, transgenic plant seeds containing a DNA molecule encoding a hypersensitive response elicitor polypeptide or protein can be planted in soil and a plant can be propagated from the planted seed under conditions effective to impart pathogen resistance to the plant.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel means of introducing foreign genes and/or viruses, wildtype or recombinant, into plant cells via a seed treatment method using recombinant or wildtype furoviruses and their natural fungal vectors. Because of its ease of application, longevity of the seed treatment product, minimal risk of transmission to subsequent seed generations, specificity, and universality within a species, it offers a significant improvement over prior art techniques for viral mediated gene delivery techniques. The unique and critical aspect of the invention is the use of seed treatment technology for delivering foreign genes or viruses into plants for, for example, the enhancement of agronomic traits and production of desirable products such as pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated protein or polypeptide which elicits a hypersensitive response in plants as well as an isolated DNA molecule which encodes the hypersensitive response eliciting protein or polypeptide. This isolated protein or polypeptide and the isolated DNA molecule can used to impart disease resistance to plants, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants. This can be achieved by applying the hypersensitive response elicitor protein or polypeptide in a non-infectious form to plants or plant seeds under conditions effective to impart disease resistance, to enhance plant growth, and/or to control insects on plants or plants grown from the plant seeds.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated NP2031, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line NP2031, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line NP2031 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line NP2031 with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: The NDR1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana has been cloned and sequenced. NDR1 is necessary for plant defense mediated by numerous disease resistance gene m products. Expression of NDR1 in transgenic plants confers resistance to a broad variety of plant pathogens.

Abstract: Raffinose synthase purified from cucumber is allowed to act on sucrose and galactinol. Thus raffinose is efficiently produced. The function of endogenous raffinose synthase is regulated by transforming a plant with a chimeric gene comprising a raffinose synthase gene and a regulatory region expressible in the plant. Thus a plant, in which raffinose family oligosaccharides are decreased, is created.

Abstract: Methods for increasing resistance in plants to pathogens by the expression of a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing enzyme or an oxalate degrading enzyme. The present invention relates to a method of producing a pathogen resistant hybrid plant by crossing the appropriate transgenic expressing a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing enzyme or an oxalate degrading enzyme with pathogen tolerant lines or inbreds obtained through conventional genetic manipulations, or by transformation of tolerant plants or plant tissues with a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing gene or by altering the expression of an endogenase hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing gene. The synergistic effect of expression of a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing enzyme or an oxalate degrading enzyme in a tolerant background gives significant and unexpectedly high resistance to the pathogens.

Abstract: Provided are DNA fragments and biologically functional equivalents thereof that confer resistance to porphyrin-accumulating type herbicides upon plant and algal cells, plasmids containing these DNA fragments or biologically functional equivalents thereof, microorganisms containing these DNA fragments or biologically functional equivalents thereof, methods for conferring resistance to porphyrin-accumulating type herbicides upon plant or algal cells using these DNA fragments or biologically functional equivalents thereof, and herbicide-resistant plants or algae into which these DNA fragments or biologically functional equivalents thereof have been introduced and in which they are expressed.

Abstract: An inbred corn line, designated 8982-11-4-2, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line 8982-11-4-2, to the plants of inbred corn line 8982-11-4-2 and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred line 8982-11-4-2 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line 8982-11-4-2 with another corn line.

Abstract: A novel gene, DDM1, and its encoded protein are provided. The gene was isolated from a region of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5. DDM1 appears to be part of the SWI2/SNF2 family of chromatin-remodeling proteins. Disruption of the gene results in DNA hypomethylation, among other phenotypes. The DDM1 gene defines a novel member of the DNA methylation system. Methods of using DDM1, and transgenic organisms comprising DDM1, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and use of an allene oxide synthase enzyme as an antioxidant of lipid peroxides in biological systems. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that antioxidation is accomplished enzymatically by RPP, a species of allene oxide synthase, in guayule, and on the discovery that the allene oxide synthase RPP disrupts the chain reaction and propagation steps of lipid peroxidation. The present further invention relates to the use of an allene oxide synthase to result in a time-dependent disappearance of conjugated dienes (i.e. lipid hydroperoxides). The allene oxide synthase rapidly converts free or esterified fatty acid peroxides or hydroperoxides into their corresponding epoxides, which, in turn are converted to ketols. The lipid peroxide and hydroperoxide substrates for this enzyme are known to be toxic to biological organisms and can generate additional peroxides by chain propagation reactions.

Abstract: A method for producing .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin (AAT) in plant cells is disclosed. Monocot plant cells transformed with an AAT coding sequence are cultivated under conditions efficient for protein expression and secretion. Also disclosed are a codon-optimized AAT coding sequence that is efficiently translated in plant cell culture and a novel AAT protein having the glycosylation pattern characteristic of plant cells and suitable for therapeutic use in humans.

Abstract: Hybrid polypeptides are provided formed with encapsulating regions from genes that encode for anabolic proteins. More particularly, the present invention relates to recombinant nucleic acid molecules that code for genes which encapsulate an attached protein within a matrix; preferably, these genes encapsulate a desired ("payload") polypeptide within starch, and more specifically within the starch granule matrix. Expression vectors comprising these recombinant nucleic acid molecules, and hosts therefor, and more specifically the starch-bearing portions of such hosts, transformed with such vectors, are also provided. Preferably, grain containing a foreign protein encapsulated within the starch is provided, useful to produce mammalian, fish and avian food. The invention also encompasses methods of producing purified protein from starch and particularly from starch granules, and industrial uses of such protein.

Abstract: A chimeric gene for use in producing a mature protein in secreted form by stably transformed plant cells is disclosed. The gene includes a DNA coding sequence encoding a fusion protein having an (i) N-terminal moiety corresponding to the portion of the rice .alpha.-amylase signal sequence peptide identified by SEQ ID: 1 and, (ii) immediately adjacent the C-terminal amino acid of said portion, a protein moiety corresponding to the protein to be produced. Also disclosed are a fusion protein encoded by the gene, and a method of producing a mature protein in secreted form by plant cells.

Abstract: A method of producing hybrid plants involves inducing cross-pollination of self-pollinating species by selecting a female plant and a male plant having different genotypes, the female plant having a phenotype of sensitivity to a micronutrient deficiency, and the male plant having a phenotype of male fertility, growing the female plant to sexual maturity in a fertility-selective growth medium deficient for the micronutrient, to produce a plant having female fertility and male sterility, growing the male plant to sexual maturity to produce a plant having high male fertility, cross-pollinating the female plant with pollen from the male plant to produce cross-fertilization with essentially no self-fertilization, raising the female plant to produce hybrid seeds having genetic material from both parents, and harvesting the hybrid seeds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a genetic male gametophytic factor capable, when expressed, of conferring a defective endosperm phenotype to seeds, said seeds being unable to germinate on their own. The invention also relates to the use of plants or part of plants comprising said factor for carrying out processes for obtaining hybrid seeds and plants.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of protecting plants from pathogen attack through synergistic disease resistance attained by applying a conventional microbicide to immunomodulated plants. Immunomodulated plants are those in which SAR is activated and are therefore referred to as "SAR-on" plants. Immunomodulated plants may be provided in at least three different ways: by applying to plants a chemical inducer of SAR such as BTH, INA, or SA; through a selective breeding program based on constitutive expression of SAR genes and/or a disease-resistant phenotype; or by transforming plants with one or more SAR genes such as a functional form of the NIM1 gene. By concurrently applying a microbicide to an immunomodulated plant, disease resistance is unexpectedly synergistically enhanced; i.e., the level of disease resistance is greater than the expected additive levels of disease resistance.