Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving biomass, as well as, the drought resistance of plants. More specifically, the present invention utilizes expression of aspartate carboxylase in plants and plant cells.

Abstract: Oxygenic photosynthesis is the major site of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under high temperature stress, increased ROS damage the photosynthetic machinery, membranes and proteins of plants. The present invention is directed to methods for increasing the stress tolerance of plants by expressing PvGrx5 in the plants.

Abstract: Oxygenic photosynthesis is the major site of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under high temperature stress, increased ROS damage the photosynthetic machinery, membranes and proteins of plants. The present invention is directed to methods for increasing the stress tolerance of plants by expressing PvGrx5 in the plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving biomass, as well as, the drought resistance of plants. More specifically, the present invention utilizes expression of aspartate carboxylase in plants and plant cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for improving biomass, as well as, the drought resistance of plants. More specifically, the present invention utilizes expression of aspartate carboxylase in plants and plant cells.

Abstract: A ?-alanine NMTase was isolated from Lumonium latifolium. The purified enzyme catalyzes the N-methylation of ?-alanine betaine, has an isoelectric point of about 5.15 and an apparent molecular weight of about 43 kilodaltons. A full-length cDNA encoding the NMTase was cloned by screening a L. latifolium cDNA library and was sequenced. Expression of the cDNA in transgenic, non-L. latifolium plants resulted in modulation of resistance to stress in the plants.

Abstract: A &bgr;-alanine N-methyltransferase was isolated from L. latifolium. The purified enzyme catalyzes the N-methylation of &bgr;-ala betaine, has an isoelectric point of about 5.15 and an apparent molecular weight of about 43 kilodaltons. The purified enzyme was partially sequenced. The purified enzyme or portions thereof can be used to make antibodies that specifically bind the enzyme, and can be introduced into a cell to modulate the cell's N-methyltransferase activity level and ability to resist environmental stress.

Abstract: A &bgr;-alanine NMTase was isolated from Lumonium latifolium. The purified enzyme catalyzes the N-methylation of &bgr;-alanine betaine, has an isoelectric point of about 5.15 and an apparent molecular weight of about 43 kilodaltons. A full-length cDNA encoding the NMTase was cloned by screening a L. latifolium cDNA library and was sequenced. Expression of the cDNA in transgenic, non-L. latifolium plants resulted in modulation of resistance to stress in the plants.

Abstract: Plumbaginaceae is a highly stress-tolerant angiosperm family consisting of approximately 15 genera of which the genus Limonium is the largest. Many species of Limonium (also called sea lavender and statice) are of commercial importance in ornamental horticulture, especially for cut flowers. It is taught herein that it is possible to generate Limonium plants via somatic embryogenesis and in turn provide a means for repetitive embryogenesis. This repetitive property allows perpetuation of the embryogenic state indefinitely and thereby produce large numbers of Limonium embryos for diverse goals such as mass propagation, production of valuable compounds and for the production of transgenic plants.

Abstract: A full length choline monooxygenase (CMO) cDNA was cloned from spinach and used to transform plants which do not naturally express CMO. A method is presented to improve stress tolerance of crops following engineering of CMO and BADH in plants that lack glycine betaine accumulation. Also provided are fragments useful as probes to isolate other CMO-type genes, and antisense sequences which inhibit the production of CMO. Reduction of glycine betaine as a consequence of antisense expression of CMO in species naturally accumulating glycine betaine, improves the transgenic plant's tolerance toward pathogens and pests and/or enhances its nutritional quality.