Abstract: Methods for increasing resistance in plants to pathogens by the expression of a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing enzyme or an oxalate degrading enzyme. The present invention relates to a method of producing a pathogen resistant hybrid plant by crossing the appropriate transgenic expressing a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing enzyme or an oxalate degrading enzyme with pathogen tolerant lines or inbreds obtained through conventional genetic manipulations, or by transformation of tolerant plants or plant tissues with a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing gene or by altering the expression of an endogenase hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing gene. The synergistic effect of expression of a hydrogen peroxide/reactive oxygen species producing enzyme or an oxalate degrading enzyme in a tolerant background gives significant and unexpectedly high resistance to the pathogens.

Abstract: Antisense expression of a stearoyl-ACP desaturase gene in sunflower results in more than a four-fold increase in seed stearate, and can enhance palmitate content as well. Thus, sunflower oil containing over 40 percent saturated fatty acids can be produced, which is desirable in the context of various products, such as coating fat, margarine, soap and shortening.