Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing chemical fertilizer usage and greenhouse gas nitrous oxide emission and to methods of improving plant growth rate and seed productivity in agriculture through the application of a novel artificially manufactured formula containing a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that efficiently colonizes non-legume plants in aerial parts and the root system. The bacteria inocula and methods are particularly suitable for plants in the genera Jatropha, Sorghum, Gossypium, Elaeis, Ricinus, Oryza and Manihot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of somatic embryo production, particularly to methods for the regeneration of Jatropha through somatic embryogenesis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and media compositions for regeneration of plants of Jatropha curcas. The method is well suited for Jatropha curcas transformation and for producing clonal planting stock useful for large scale Jatropha curcas plantation.

Abstract: A group of genes including GhCIR1 from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), and AtCIR1 and AtCIR2 from Arabidopsis thaliana promote shoot regeneration in plants even in the absence of cytokinin. In the presence of cytokinin, the genes significantly improve transformation efficiency. The genes can be used as an enhancer as well as a selectable marker of transformation in plants. The proteins encoded by the novel genes have a homeodomain (HD) at the N-terminus and a highly divergent domain at the C-terminus. The proteins share a common structural motif.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of the production of transgenic plants through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cells of somatic embryogenic calli or embryogenic suspension cultures and regeneration of the transformed cells into fruit-setting plants. In particular, the present invention relates to the production of transgenic plants in the Euphorbiaceae family. The present invention further relates to media compositions, selection methods and engineered Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains that improve Agrobacterium-mediated transformation efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high efficiency plant transformation via Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA conjugation to suspension-cultured cells or calli. The methods described herein employ membranes or filters as porous solid support for the co-culture of T-DNA donor and recipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of somatic embryo production, particularly to methods for the regeneration of Jatropha through somatic embryogenesis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and media compositions for regeneration of plants of Jatropha curcas. The method is well suited for Jatropha curcas transformation and for producing clonal planting stock useful for large scale Jatropha curcas plantation.

Abstract: A group of genes including GhCIR1 from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), and AtCIR1 and AtCIR2 from Arabidopsis thaliana promote shoot regeneration in plants even in the absence of cytokinin. In the presence of cytokinin, the genes significantly improve transformation efficiency. The genes can be used as an enhancer as well as a selectable marker of transformation in plants. The proteins encoded by the novel genes have a homeodomain (HD) at the N-terminus and a highly divergent domain at the C-terminus. The proteins share a common structural motif.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high efficiency plant transformation via Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA conjugation to suspension-cultured cells or calli. The methods described herein employ membranes of filters as porous solid support for the co-culture of T-DNA donor and recipient.