Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of switching from sexual reproduction to apomixis or from apomixis to sexual reproduction in a eukaryote. More particularly, this invention provides methods of switching from meiosis to apomeiosis and from syngamy to parthenogenesis in a plant. The invention also provides methods of producing an apomictic eukaryote from a sexual eukaryote and a sexual eukaryote from an apomictic eukaryote.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods of inducing apomixis in a sexual eukaryote or inducing sexual reproduction in an apomictic eukaryote. More particularly, this invention provides methods of switching from meiosis to apomeiosis and from syngamy to parthenogenesis in a plant. The invention also provides methods of producing an apomictic eukaryote from a sexual eukaryote and a sexual eukaryote from an apomictic eukaryote.

Abstract: This invention is direct to methods of switching from sexual reproduction to apomixis or from apomixis to sexual reproduction in a eukaryote. More particularly this invention provides methods of switching from meiosis to apomeiosis and from syagamy to parthenogenesis in a plant. The invention also provides methods of producing an apomictic eukaryote from a sexual eukaryote and a sexual eukaryote from an apomietic eukaryote.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting genetic instability for apomixis in angiospermous plant, and for enhancing, genetically stabilizing, and controlling apomixis expression in such plants. Enhanced expression, stabilization, and control are achieved by converting a facultative apomict to obligate apomixis. Enhanced expression of apomixis is further achieved by increasing frequencies of unreduced egg formation and/or parthenogenesis. Genetic stabilization of apomixis is alternatively achieved by conferring mechanisms to a facultative apomict that, during facultative sexual seed formation, prevent the segregational loss of unique alleles at multiple loci, which cause apomixis, such that progeny produced sexually from the facultative apomict inherit the unique allelic combinations required to maintain apomixis. The disclosed methods are used in various combinations to produce apomictic plants that possess improved yield, quality, and/or seed production characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the seed-to-seed perpetuation of hybrid vigor and other traits through apomixis (asexual seed formation) in flowering plants (angiosperms). More particularly, to predictable methods for producing, from sexual or facultatively-apomictic plants, progeny plants that express an increased percentage of apomictic seed set or one or more elements of apomixis.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing apomictic plants from sexual plants divergent with respect to responses to different photoperiods and schedules of megaspore and gametophyte development. A preferred system is to identify divergent lines from within a species or closely related group of species, accentuate the divergence by breeding where necessary, and produce artificial amphiploids that contain genomes from the apposing divergent lines. Apomixis results from the asynchronous expression of female developmental programs induced by combining the reproductively divergent lines. The procedures for manipulating the expression of apomixis described herein permit the development of true-breeding hybrids of various cultivated crops.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for detecting genetic instability for apomixis in angiospermous plant, and for enhancing, genetically stabilizing, and controlling apomixis expression in such plants. Enhanced expression, stabilization, and control are achieved by converting a facultative apomict to obligate apomixis. Enhanced expression of apomixis is further achieved by increasing frequencies of unreduced egg formation and/or parthenogenesis. Genetic stabilization of apomixis is alternatively achieved by conferring mechanisms to a facultative apomict that, during facultative sexual seed formation, prevent the segregational loss of unique alleles at multiple loci, which cause apomixis, such that progeny produced sexually from the facultative apomict inherit the unique allelic combinations required to maintain apomixis. The disclosed methods are used in various combinations to produce apomictic plants that possess improved yield, quality, and/or seed production characteristics.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing apomictic plants from sexual plants divergent with respect to responses to different photoperiods and schedules of megaspore and gametophyte development. A preferred system is to identify divergent lines from within a species or closely related group of species, accentuate the divergence by breeding where necessary, and produce artificial amphiploids that contain genomes from the apposing divergent lines. Apomixis results from the asynchronous expression of female developmental programs induced by combining the reproductively divergent lines. The procedures for manipulating the expression of apomixis described herein permit the development of true-breeding hybrids of various cultivated crops.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing apomictic plants from sexual plants divergent with respect to responses to different photoperiods and schedules of megaspore and gametophyte development. A preferred system is to identify divergent plants from within a species or closely related group of species, accentuate the divergence by breeding, and produce artificial amphiploids that contain genomes from the apposing divergent plants. Apomixis results from the asynchronous expression of female developmental programs induced by crossing the reproductively divergent plants. The procedures for manipulating the expression of apomixis described herein permit the development of true-breeding hybrids of various cultivated crops.