Abstract: A series of independent non-transgenic mutations found in the fruit PG gene of tomato; tomato plants having these mutations in their fruit PG gene; and a method of creating and identifying similar and/or additional mutations in the PG gene by screening pooled and/or individual tomato plants. The tomato plants of the present invention exhibit reduced PG enzyme activity and fruit that soften more slowly post harvest without having the inclusion of foreign nucleic acids in their genomes.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a squalene metabolic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the squalene metabolic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the squalene metabolic enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and composition for specific expression of a heterologous gene in the anthers and/or pollen of a plant. Specifically, this invention provides a recombinants expression vector comprising the rice CatA gene promoter, or functionally equivalent variant thereof, operably linked to a heterologous gene. The invention also provides male sterile plants produced using the expression vector.

Abstract: Cotton plants of the genus Gossypium with improved cotton fiber characteristics are disclosed. The cotton plant has an expression cassette containing a gene coding for an enzyme selected from the group consisting of endoxyloglucan transferase, catalase and peroxidase so that the gene is expressed in cotton fiber cells to improve the cotton fiber characteristics. Also disclosed is a method for producing cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics from these cotton plants.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed to achieve an improvement in the characteristics and yield of cotton fibers. In one method, a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in seed form or in growth stage is treated with a brassinosteroid. In another method, an ovule culture is prepared from a cotton plant of the genus Gossypium in a brassinosteroid-containing liquid medium. Cotton fibers with improved fiber characteristics are obtained from the cotton bolls of the treated plant or from the cultured ovules.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding Brassica napus diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (DGAT) are provided. Also provided are the encoded DGAT polypeptides, transgenic plants which express DGAT, and methods for making such plants. The DGAT-encoding polynucleotides are useful for increasing triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis, seed oil content, and oil quality in plants.

Abstract: A method for reducing Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor levels in plants using either co-suppression or antisense technology is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic higher plants and transgenic plant cells thereof which have been transformed with a plant translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) gene to improve growth rate in a growth stage-dependent manner, especially in the earlier vegetative growth stage from seedlings to young plants. Also, the invention provides methods for engineering higher plants so that they can be more efficiently transformed with other transforming vector constructs. Further, provided are TCTP expression vectors which contain an uninterrupted coding region for the TCTP protein used to generate transgenic plants and cells thereof.

Abstract: Regulation of expression of programmed cell death, including senescence, in plants is achieved by integration of a gene or gene fragment encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase, senescence-induced eIF-5A or both into the plant genome in antisense orientation. Plant genes encoding senescence-induced deoxyhypusine synthase and senescence-induced eIF-5A are identified and the nucleotide sequences of each, alone and in combination are used to modify senescence in transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel plant phenotype, designated DWARF AND LATE FLOWERING 2 (DLF2), a nucleic acid sequence expressed in plants demonstrating the DLF2 phenotype and the corresponding amino acid sequence. Also provided are plant cells and plants that exhibit modified DLF2 expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule isolated from the 5′ untranscribed region of a translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) gene from Arabidopsis. The nucleic acid molecule, referred to as TCTP promoter in the present invention, directs the high-level expression of a reporter gene that is properly placed under its control. The TCTP promoter initiates and regulates the gene expression to a level that is comparable to those by the currently available promoters in plant genetic engineering. A minimum of 300-bp region is enough for fill regulatory activity. The TCTP promoter is functional in all plant tissues tested with the highest activity in the meristem tissue of root tip. The present invention can be utilized to express useful genes to a high level in agronomically important plants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel plant phenotype, designated PAGODA (PGD), a nucleic acid sequence expressed in plants demonstrating the PGD phenotype and the corresponding amino acid sequence. Also provided are plant cells and plants that exhibit modified PGD expression.

Abstract: The isolation, purification, cloning and expression of a papaya xylanase gene is presented. This gene can be utilized to identify other related xylanase genes from other plants, especially dicots. Once cloned, xylanase genes can be utilized to create transgenic plants exhibiting controlled growth, abscission, dehiscence and/or fruit and vegetable ripening characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences from embryo-specific genes. The nucleic acids are useful in targeting gene expression to embryos or in modulating embryo development.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinannt techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter lipid levels in plants by altering fatty acid beat-oxidation in host plant cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using enhanced expression of nucleotide sequences encoding a flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) and suitable homologs thereof, to elicit desired traits, study biochemical pathways, and oxidize xenobiotics in plants.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods of using viral replicase polypeptides and polynucleotides. Included are methods for increasing transformation frequencies, increasing crop yield, providing a positive growth advantage, modulating cell division, transiently modulating cell division, and for providing a means of positive selection.