Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for regulating stomata in plants, improving drought tolerance, and increasing resistance to bacterial pathogens through overexpression of genes NHR1 or GCN4. Also provided are transgenic plants with improved drought tolerance and increased resistance to bacterial pathogens produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides coding and promoter sequences for an STF gene, which affects lamina expansion in plants. Vectors, transgenic plants, seeds, and host cells comprising a heterologous STF gene are also provided. Additionally provided are methods of altering biomass in a plant using the STF gene.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the efficiency of genetic transformation of host cells, including plant cells, and other eukaryotic cells, by reducing the expression of a polypeptide active in a pathway, such as the NHEJ pathway, for repairing damage to the cellular genome. In certain embodiments, the polypeptide is active in repairing double strand breaks (DSB's) of a cellular genome, and may include XRCC4, KU70, KU80, the DNA-activated Protein Kinase (DNA-Pkcs), and ATM. Methods for enhancing the resistance of plant cells to Crown Gall disease are also provided. In another aspect, genetic regulatory elements are provided, including an XRCC4 promoter.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic plants with resistance to infection by a root-infecting fungal plant pathogen such as Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. Also provided are methods of making such plants. Further provided are nucleic acid vectors for producing such a plant. Additionally, methods are provided for growing a dicotyledonous plant that is resistant to root rot disease in soil that comprises Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, or another pathogen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for enhancing agronomic properties in plants by down-regulation of a PALM transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for down-regulation of PALM are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise increased leafy tissue and increased disease resistance. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved forage crops or in biofuel production.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of host cells such as plant cells. Plant expression constructs comprising a gene encoding a VIP2 or VIP2-like polypeptide are provided, as well as methods for utilizing such constructs to enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the efficiency of genetic transformation of host cells, including plant cells, and other eukaryotic cells, by reducing the expression of a polypeptide active in a pathway, such as the NHEJ pathway, for repairing damage to the cellular genome. In certain embodiments, the polypeptide is active in repairing double strand breaks (DSB's) of a cellular genome, and may include XRCC4, KU70, KU80, the DNA-activated Protein Kinase (DNA-Pkcs), and ATM. Methods for enhancing the resistance of plant cells to Crown Gall disease are also provided. In another aspect, genetic regulatory elements are provided, including an XRCC4 promoter.

Abstract: The invention provides coding and promoter sequences for an STF gene, which affects lamina expansion in plants. Vectors, transgenic plants, seeds, and host cells comprising a heterologous STF gene are also provided. Additionally provided are methods of altering biomass in a plant using the STF gene.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic plants with resistance to infection by a root-infecting fungal plant pathogen such as Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. Also provided are methods of making such plants. Further provided are nucleic acid vectors for producing such a plant. Additionally, methods are provided for growing a dicotyledonous plant that is resistant to root rot disease in soil that comprises Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, or another pathogen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of host cells such as plant cells. Plant expression constructs comprising a gene encoding a VIP2 or VIP2-like polypeptide are provided, as well as methods for utilizing such constructs to enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of increasing resistance to disease in a plant. Also provided are plant steroid biosynthesis enzyme coding sequences, including sequences for squalene synthase, constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. Methods for producing a plant with increased disease resistance are also provided. In certain aspects of the invention, methods for producing plants transformed with the nucleic acids are provided, the transformed plants exhibiting improved disease resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides novel methods and compositions for modulating gene function in plants. In particular, the invention provides methods and compositions that allow efficient induction of virus-induced gene silencing in plants. The invention is significant in that it allows high throughput analysis of gene function in plants.

Abstract: Adding at least one gene involved in plant host cell T-DNA integration enhances transformation by Agrobacterium. The histone H2A gene encoded by the Arabidopsis RAT5 gene increases transformation frequencies of plants, most likely by causing overexpression of a product needed for T-DNA integration. Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically transforms plant cells by transferring a portion of the bacterial Ti-plasmid, designated the T-DNA, to the plant, and integrating the T-DNA into the plant genome. However, not all plants are transformable by Agrobacterium and transformation frequencies may be too low to be useful. Little is known about the T-DNA integration process, and no plant genes involved in integration have been identified prior to the present invention.