Abstract: A new and distinctive New Guinea Impatiens plant characterized by flowers with two or more colors distributed in irregular randomly distributed patterns on some or all petals and flower. The patterns are defined by multiple irregularly shaped regions of color. Generally, each region consists of an elongate streak or patch of color typically radiating in a direction from the base of a petal to the edge of the petal. The irregularly shaped regions, while not necessarily exclusive of other colors, generally are dominated by a single color. The streaks or patches forming regions may vary in color intensity, shape, length, and width. They may also vary in terms of their position relative to the base and edge of a petal. The novel features of the invention also include a method of producing multiple sports from crosses of the present invention with other novel plants of the present invention or with conventional New Guinea Impatiens plants.

Abstract: A plant which belongs to the genus Limonium, having a characteristic of undergoing flower bud differentiation and flower stalk development within 50 days from seeding even without low temperatures of 25° C. or below; and a method for creating the plant are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the identification of transgenic seeds. This is accomplished by use of screenable markers linked to aleurone-specific promoters. The screenable markers can be provided as gene fusions with selectable markers, allowing both selection and screening of transformants. The use of aleurone-specific promoters, which also direct expression in embryogenic tissues, allows efficient selection of transgenic cells and the screening of viable transgenic seeds, while avoiding the deleterious effects associated with constitutive expression of screenable marker genes. Screening of transgenic seeds avoids the need for growing and assaying of seeds for transgenes and allows implementation of automated seed screening techniques for the identification of transgenic seeds.

Abstract: A new “Double Mandevilla” variety is characterized by double flowers which present an outer corolla and a ring of inner petaloids producing an enhanced decorative appearance for this evergreen vine-like climbing shrub.

Abstract: Promoters capable of driving fruit-specific expression of DNA sequences in transgenic blackcurrant and other non-climacteric fruit are presented.

Abstract: This invention relates to Stevia plants characterized by exhibiting a high level of total glycosides, and a high ratio between rebaudioside A and stevioside. Preferably the Stevia plants comprise a level of total steviol glycoside of at least 14%, or of about 14.4% to about 18.8%, and the ratio of rebaudioside A:stevioside is of at least 9.1:1, or of about 9.3:1 to about 11.0:1. This invention also discloses a method for producing Stevia plants characterized in that the level of total steviol glycoside is at least of about 14%, and the ratio of rebaudioside A: stevioside is of at least about 9.1:1, comprising selecting at least two intermating genotypes of Stevia each comprising a ratio of rebaudioside A:stevioside of at least about 9:1:1, and a total steviol glycoside level of at least about 14%; allowing said at least two intermating genotypes to cross pollinate to produce a seed; collecting said seed; and growing said Stevia plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding all or a substantial portion of a soybean homolog of the Phaseolus vulgaris PvAlf transcription activator. The invention also relates to the construction of chimeric genes encoding all or a portion of a soybean homolog of the Phaseolus vulgaris PvAlf transcription activator, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of a plant homolog of the Phaseolus vulgaris PvAlf transcription activator in a transformed host cell. The invention also relates to targeting of the soybean homolog of the Phaseolus vulgaris PvAlf transcription activator to a novel promoter region by the addition of either a DNA-binding domain or a protein-protein interaction domain, thus leading to a higher level of gene expression.

Abstract: Transgenic animals carrying two transgenes, the first coding for a transactivator fusion protein comprising a tet repressor and a polypeptide which directly or indirectly activates in eucaryotic cells, and the second comprising a gene operably linked to a minimal promoter operably linked to at least one tet operator sequence, are disclosed. Isolated DNA molecules (e.g., targeting vectors) for integrating a polynucleotide sequence encoding a transactivator of the invention at a predetermined location within a second target DNA molecule by homologous recombination are also disclosed. Transgenic animals having the DNA molecules of the invention integrated at a predetermined location in a chromosome by homologous recombination are also encompassed by the invention. Methods to regulate the expression of a tet operator linked-gene of interest by administering tetracycline or a tetracycline analogue to an animal of the invention are also disclosed.

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: Methods are provided for selecting parental plants exhibiting disease resistance and for using these plants in breeding programs. In one method of the invention, constitutive immunity (cim) mutants are screened for either resistance to a pathogen of interest or for the expression of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) genes. Such mutants having the desired traits or expressing the desired genes are then used in breeding programs. Parent plants can also be selected based on the constitutive expression of SAR genes. These mutants are phenotypically normal yet exhibit a significant level of disease resistance. Also disclosed are lesion-simulating-disease (lsd) mutants having a lesion mimic phenotype that also express SAR genes and exhibit disease resistance. Further disclosed are non-inducible immunity (nim) mutants that do not express SAR genes, even when induced by a pathogen. Methods of use for these mutants are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing transgenic grapevines with resistance to a plant pathogen, the method includes: transforming a plant cell of the genus Vitis with a nucleic acid which expresses a lytic peptide, where the expression of the lytic peptide provides resistance to a plant pathogen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of controlling endosperm development in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated DNA sequences capable of conferring nematode resistance in plants. The isolated DNA sequences can be inserted into a DNA vector to form a transformation construct for the expression of the isolated DNA sequences in plants. The transformation construct can be introduced into plant cells. Plants expressing the isolated DNA sequences can be regenerated from the transformed cells. Methods for improving genetic traits for nematode resistance in plants are also provided, comprising transforming cells with the isolated DNA sequences and regenerating plants from the transformed cells expressing the isolated DNA sequences necessary for nematode resistance.

Abstract: The tomato Cf-4 gene has been isolated by positional cloning and its sequence provided, along with the encoded amino acid sequence. DNA encoding the polypeptide, alleles, mutants and derivatives thereof, and DNA encoding amino acid sequences showing a significant degree of homology thereto may be introduced into plant cells and the encoded polypeptide expressed, conferring pathogen resistance on plants comprising such cells and descendants thereof. The Cf-4 sequence shows a high degree of homology to Cf-9 and comprises leucine rich repeats.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a promoter, designated MuA. The present invention is also directed to DNA molecules including said promoter, such as a DNA construct comprising the promoter operably linked to one or more genes or antisense DNA. The invention is further directed to transformed plant tissue including the DNA molecule and to transformed plants and seeds thereof. The promoter is useful for driving gene or antisense expression for the purpose of imparting agronomically useful traits such as, but not limited to, increase in yield, disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, drought tolerance and salt tolerance in plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the beneficial genetic transformation of plants based on transfer of genetic information mediated by mRNA rather than DNA. mRNA was extracted from the cotyledon and sprout of soybean and both mRNAs were separately used to treat corn kernels which were then planted. The results of protein extraction and analysis revealed that these corn kernels contained soy globulin. Furthermore, Southern and Western blotting techniques confirmed that this soy mRNA-induced soy globulin protein was encoded by soy DNA which was incorporated into the corn genome and transmitted to subsequent generations of corn.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to aid in protecting the plant from invading pathogenic organisms are provided. The compositions of the invention comprise genes that influence the levels of nitric oxide in plant cells. Such genes include those encoding nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as well as natural resistance-associated macrophage proteins (NRAMP) and NRAMP homologues. A pathogen inducible promoter or alternatively a constitutive, preferably a weak constitutive, promoter is used to control the desired level of disease control in the plant. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided having enhanced disease resistance.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated NP2115, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line NP2115, methods for producing a maize plant produced by crossing the inbred line NP2115 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line NP2115 with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides determinate, delayed-ripening cherry tomato plants. The plants are hybrids derived from a determinate, non-ripening parental line.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating and utilizing genetic male-sterile Catharanthus for hybrid periwinkle production. The method makes use of a mutated male sterility allele which suppresses pollen production in otherwise fertile plants. Individual plants expressing the male sterility factor are incapable of self pollination and can be used as female parents in hybrid seed production. Methods are disclosed for transferring this system into any inbred line of interest for use in hybrid seed production in Catharanthus.