Abstract: A process is provided for inducing direct somatic embryogenesis in Pooideae and rapidly regenerating fertile plants by first culturing isolated immature scutella cells in culture medium comprising auxin, cytokinin and polyamine in amounts effective to cause direct formation of primary embryos without an intervening callus stage, at least until at least one primary embryo reaches the globular developmental stage, the auxin being present in greater proportion than cytokinin.

Abstract: The invention provides the nucleotide sequence of a novel &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase gene denoted as cbeg1 of the soil-borne fungus Coniothyrium minitans. The deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase enzyme, denoted Cbeg1, is also provided. Encoded &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase Cbeg1 is specific for the substrate laminarin, in that results showed no activity with other substrates tested, such as carboxymethylcellulose, barley &bgr;-glucan, lichenan, oat spelt xylan and birchwood xylan. The pH and temperature optima for &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase Cbeg1 are 6.0 and 57° C., respectively. Cbeg1 contains 784 amino acids, and has a predicted isoelectric point (pI) of 6.0 and molecular weight of 83,646 Daltons. The invention further provides vectors and cells comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the cbeg1 gene, and methods for producing &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase Cbeg1.

Abstract: The invention provides the nucleotide sequence of a novel &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase gene denoted as cbeg1 of the soil-borne fungus Coniothyrium minitans. The deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase enzyme, denoted Cbeg1, is also provided. Encoded &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase Cbeg1 is specific for the substrate laminarin, in that results showed no activity with other substrates tested, such as carboxymethylcellulose, barley &bgr;-glucan, lichenan, oat spelt xylan and birchwood xylan. The pH and temperature optima for &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase Cbeg1 are 6.0 and 57° C., respectively. Cbeg1 contains 784 amino acids, and has a predicted isoelectric point (pI) of 6.0 and molecular weight of 83,646 Daltons. The invention further provides vectors and cells comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the cbeg1 gene, and methods for producing &bgr;-(1,3) exoglucanase Cbeg1.

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 process for inducing direct somatic embryogenesis and secondary embryogenesis in monocotyledonous plant cells and rapidly regenerating fertile monocotyledonous plants is provided. In a first step, embryogenic monocotyledonous plant cells are cultured under conditions conducive to direct formation of primary embryos without an intervening callus stage, at least until at least one primary embryo reaches the globular developmental stage and no longer than the coleoptilar stage. In a second step, one or more primary embryos from the first step are cultured under conditions conducive to induction of secondary embryo formation, until secondary embryogenesis is detected. In a third step, one or more secondary embryos from the second step are cultured under conditions conducive to regeneration of plantlets from the secondary embryos.

Abstract: Strains of the aerobic mycoparasitic fungus Coniothyrium minitans having high levels of &bgr;-glucanase activity have been obtained. Preferred strains have been deposited at the American Type Culture Collection under accession numbers 74415, 74416, 74417, 74418, 74419, 74435 and 74436. Methods for mutagenizing C. minitans 74415 and obtaining strains having &bgr;-glucanase activity are provided.

Abstract: The nucleotide sequence of a novel xylanase gene obtained from the soilborne fungus Coniothyrium minitans, and denoted cxy1, is provided. The amino acid sequence of the encoded xylanase enzyme, denoted Cxy1, is also provided.