Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence at least 90% identical to a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, where the protein as an aspartic acid (Asp) at amino acid position 106. The present invention also relates to a transgenic plant with reduced or delayed softening and deterioration of fruit compared to wild-type plants, methods of genetic screening for plants having reduced or delayed softening and deterioration of fruit, isolated oligonucleotides, and a method of imparting to a plant the dfd trait.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that is at least 90% identical to a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 4, wherein the protein has an aspartic acid (Asp) at amino acid position 106 Transgenic plants comp?sing the nucleic acid have reduced or delayed softening and detenoration of fruit compared to wild-type plants Methods of genetic screening for plants having reduced or delayed softening and detenoration of fruit, isolated oligonucleotides, and a method of imparting to a plant the dfd trait are also disclosed.

Abstract: The ripening of banana fruit may be delayed or suppressed by use of a DNA construct comprising a silencing nucleic acid sequence which is effective for significantly reducing or eliminating the expression of MaMADS1 or MaMADS2 or both in the fruit. The silencing nucleic acid sequence in this construct is operatively linked to a promoter effective for expression in the fruit. The fruit of plants transformed with this construct exhibit significantly delayed ripening in comparison to fruit from non-transformed plants.

Abstract: The cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) Or gene is a semi-dominant, single-locus mutation. It induces the accumulation of high levels of beta-carotene in various tissues that are normally devoid of carotenoids, turning them orange. Using a map-based cloning strategy, we identified a single candidate gene representing Or and successfully verified its identity by phenotypic complementation in the wild type cauliflower. The Or gene encodes a plastid membrane protein containing the DnaJ zinc figure domain. A likely gain-of-function mutation from a 4.3-kb retrotransposon insertion in the Or allele confers the orange phenotype in the mutant. Southern blot analysis revealed that Or is a single-copy sequence in the cauliflower genome. High level of expression of the Or gene and the protein was found in very young leaves, curds, and flowers at comparable abundance between wild type and the Or mutant.

Abstract: The current invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding the NOR gene. Compositions comprising this sequence are described, as are plants transformed with such compositions. Further provided are methods for the expression of the NOR gene. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the NOR gene 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 nucleic acid sequences encoding the NOR gene. Compositions comprising this sequence are described, as are plants transformed with such compositions. Further provided are methods for the expression of the NOR gene. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the NOR gene 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.