Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for direct genome editing in vivo in plants by targeting cells in the shoot apical meristem.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a hybrid perennial plant system for plant breeding of co-sexual plants for increased yields and for having increased gene confinement capabilities. The method includes the steps of (a) contacting a first compatible perennial plant with a male vector, wherein the male vector comprises a SL expression cassette to create a plant line (A) with disrupted male development; (b) contacting a second compatible perennial plant with a female vector, wherein the female vector comprises a SL expression cassette to create a plant line (B) with disrupted female development; and (c) crossing plant line (A) with plant line (B) to produce the hybrid perennial plant having increased heterozygocity gene confinement.

Abstract: A new vegetable, referred to herein as green garlic, grown from garlic bulbils is disclosed. In particular examples, the green garlic is rich in one or more thiosulfinates. Methods of producing green garlic are also disclosed. In some examples, such methods permit year-round commercial production of green garlic.

Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as environmental qualities such as phyto-remediation. However, possibility for transgene escape to wild and non-transformed species raises commercial and ecological concerns. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating plants with total vegetative growth for the reduction, and in some examples prevention of, transgene escape. The same methods and compositions can also be used to increase biomass production in a plant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stable transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as environmental qualities such as phyto-remediation. However, possibility for transgene escape to wild and non-transformed species raises commercial and ecological concerns. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating sterile perennial plants for the prevention of transgene escape. For example, sterile switchgrass can be produced using these methods, for example which can be used to produce biofuel.

Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as traits for enhancing biofuel production, such as increased vegetative biomass and prolonged vegetative growth. The development of reproductive structures diverts resources from vegetative growth resulting in lower biomass and fixed growing seasons. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating controlled vegetative growth and prolonged growing seasons for the purpose of increasing biomass in plants used for biofuels.

Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as environmental qualities such as phyto-remediation. However, possibility for transgene escape to wild and non-transformed species raises commercial and ecological concerns. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating sterile plants for the prevention of transgene escape.

Abstract: The current invention provides the promoter of the Zea mays nuclear gene encoding chloroplast-localized fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F16BP) aldolase. Compositions comprising this sequence are described, as are plants transformed with such compositions. Further provided are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the chloroplastic F16BP aldolase promoter by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods. The sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic plants, preferably having one or more added beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: The current invention provides the promoter of the Zea mays nuclear gene encoding chloroplast-localized fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F16BP) aldolase. Compositions comprising this sequence are described, as are plants transformed with such compositions. Further provided are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the chloroplastic F16BP aldolase promoter by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods. The sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic plants, preferably having one or more added beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stable transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: Genes can be introduced into plants that confer desirable traits such as, drought and stress tolerance, insect and pest resistance, as well as environmental qualities such as phyto-remediation. However, possibility for transgene escape to wild and non-transformed species raises commercial and ecological concerns. Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating sterile plants for the prevention of transgene escape.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing yield in plants by introducing a gene encoding phosphinothricin acetyltransferase. The invention further involves a method of transferring said increased yield phenotype to other lines of plants by crossing. A maize transformant is identified in which the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene integration event is correlated with increased yield.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stable transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conferring tolerance or resistance to water or salt stress in a monocot plant, and/or altering the osmoprotectant content of a monocot plant, by introducing a preselected DNA segment into the plant. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds, and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the efficient production of transformants with low transgene copy numbers. In the method, the average transgene copy number of transformants is decreased through methods which are believed to limit the interaction between segments of transforming DNA prior to transformation. The methods comprise means for end-modification of transforming DNA and use of limited quantities of DNA for transforrnation. Production of single or low copy transformation events is desirable in that it avoids many of the problems associated with high transgene copy number including co-suppression, unpredictable gene expression and non-Mendelian inheritance.

Abstract: Chimaeric DNA sequence which encodes: 1) a transmit peptide of a cytoplasmic precursor of a chloroplast protein or polypeptide of a plant and 2) a protein or polypeptide that is heterologous to the transit peptide. The chimaeric DNA sequence can be used as a vector for transforming a plant cell so that a chimaeric precursor of the heterologous protein or polypeptide is produced in the cytoplasm of the cell and the chimaeric precursor then transports the heterologous protein or polypeptide in vivo into a chloroplast of the cell.

Abstract: Chimaeric DNA sequence which encodes: 1) a transit peptide of a cytoplasmic precursor of a chloroplast protein or polypeptide of a plant and 2) a protein or polypeptide that is heterologous to the transit peptide. The chimaeric DNA sequence can be used as a vector for transforming a plant cell so that a chimaeric precursor of the heterologous protein or polypeptide is produced in the cytoplasm of the cell and the chimaeric precursor then transports the heterologous protein or polypeptide in vivo into a chloroplast of the cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable and genetically transformed cereal plants, other than maize or rice, that comprise an exogenous DNA expressing phosphinothricin acetyl transferase to impart resistance to phosphinothricin in said cereal plants. Cereal plants within the scope of the invention include, but are not limited to, wheat, barley and oats. The invention also pertains to transgenic cereal plants which further comprise screenable markers and transgenic seed obtained from said plants.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of stable, genetically transformed, Zea mays plants that comprise an exogenous DNA expressing phosphinothricin acetyl transferase to impart resistance to phosphinothricin in said plants. The method further comprises transforming said Zea mays plants with a second gene and further still wherein said second gene imparts insect resistance, such as the expression of a Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene. The method for achieving stable transformation includes tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with said DNA's, and methods of regenerating fertile plants from transformed cells. The invention also pertains to a method of breeding said transgenic Zea mays plants with a either a non-transgenic plant or a transgenic plant, and the obtention of fertile transgenic plants and seed therefrom.