Abstract: Hydroponic apparatus and methods for the high-throughput screening plants are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for the high-throughput screening of plants is disclosed.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that antisense suppression of a chlorophyll synthase (CS) gene results in plants exhibiting one or more of chlorosis, reduced growth, and altered development. Thus, the present inventors have discovered that the protein encoded by the CS gene is essential for normal plant growth and development, and is useful as a target for the identification of compounds as antibiotics and herbicides, especially herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pectin esterase is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of pectin esterase gene expression resulted in seedlings that were damaged, short, and stunted at a very early growth stage. Thus, pectin esterase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit pectin esterase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a pectin esterase and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said pectin esterase, or detecting a decrease in pectin esterase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Biotin synthase (BS) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, inhibition of BS gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis and reduced growth. Thus, BS can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit BS expression or activity, and as such, the methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (“FHT”) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of FHT gene expression in plant seedlings results in small and chlorotic seedlings. Thus, FHT can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit FHT expression or activity. The present invention can be used to identify compounds having herbicide activity by contacting a compound with FHT and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between the compound and the FHT, or alternatively, detecting a decrease in FHT expression or activity.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that LCBH is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of LCBH gene expression in Arabidopsis results in reduced growth and abnormal development. Thus, LCBH is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a LCBH in the presence and absence of a compound, where an alteration of LCBH activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (DET2) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of DET2 gene expression in plant seedlings resulted in seedlings that are shorter than controls and chlorotic. Thus, DET2 can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit DET2 expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a DET2 and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said DET2, or detecting a decrease in DET2 expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of CA gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth, and chlorosis. Thus, CA can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit CA expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with an CA and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said an CA, or detecting a change in CA expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that ferredoxin NADP oxidoreductase (FNR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of FNR gene expression in plant seedlings resulted in seedlings that looked pale and very stunted. Thus, FNR can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit FNR expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a FNR and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between the compound and the FNR, or detecting a decrease in FNR expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and abnormal development. Thus, CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter in the presence and absence of a compound, where an alteration of CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Thus, the invention provides methods for the identification of chemicals that modulate chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase biochemical reactions. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and for the inhibition of plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of LTP gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and chlorosis. Thus, LTP is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an LTP in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of LTP activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of POR gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and chlorosis. Thus, POR is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a POR in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of POR activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of SAT gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and altered pigmentation. Thus, SAT is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an SAT in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of SAT activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Oxidase (ACC) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of ACC gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced and severely stunted growth, and chlorosis. Thus, ACC can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit ACC expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with an ACC and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said an ACC, or detecting a decrease in ACC expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Mg-chelatase is essential for the growth of Arabidopsis. Specifically, the inhibition of Mg-chelatase CHL H gene expression in Arabidopsis seedlings results in varying levels of chlorosis (yellowing), significantly reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that modulate Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase, or a subunit thereof, and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said Mg-chelatase, or detecting a change in Mg-chelatase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and other compounds that can modulate plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Thioredoxin (TRX) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of TRX gene expression in plant seedlings results in seedling deformities, reduced and severely stunted growth, and chlorosis. Thus, TRX can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit TRX expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a TRX and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a TRX, or detecting a decrease in TRX expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:1 is essential for plant growth. Thus, this polypeptide can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit the expression or activity of the polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:2. Such compounds have use as herbicides. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating plant growth and development are provided.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition PPDK gene expression in plant seedlings results in significant developmental abnormalities, including abnormal cotyledon development, abnormal or aborted primary leaf development and significantly reduced growth. Thus, PPDK can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit PPDK expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a PPDK and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a PPDK, or detecting a decrease in PPDK expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the germin-like polypeptides set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 are essential for plant growth. Thus, these polypeptides can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit the expression or activity of the polypeptides encoded by SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10. Such compounds have use as herbicides. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating plant growth and development are provided.