Abstract: Sunflower is an important oilseed crop. Typically, new cultivars with improved agronomic traits are developed through conventional breeding program. Here, we describe a method of sunflower embryo rescue to accelerate trait introduction into plants. Further, weeds are a significant issue for the sunflower crop. However, there are not many selective herbicides for sunflower. Here, using the embryo rescue methodology, we further describe in vitro herbicidal section methodologies.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, and/or SEQ ID NO:10 that can be operably linked to a promoter, thereby making the promoter inducible by a chemical compound that can induce the expression of the alcohol dehydrogenase system of Aspergillus nidulans. Methods for making an inducible promoter and for making the expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest inducible are also provided. Further provided are plants, plant parts, and plant cells, comprising the compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a diagnostic approach utilizing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect quantitatively a pathogen of the genus Leifsonia that causes ratoon stunting disease (RSD) in sugarcane. This is a rapid, cost-effective and/or high sensitivity methodology for detecting this pathogen. The present invention relates to methods and kits for detecting a pathogen in a plant, plant part or plant cell from the Gramineae/Poaceae family, such as plants of the Saccharum spp, including sugarcane.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a transformed sugar cane tissue or cell thereof, said methods comprising: a) inoculating a sugar cane tissue or a cell thereof with an Agrobacterium inoculation suspension, said Agrobacterium comprising a nucleic acid of interest, to obtain an Agrobacterium-inoculated sugar cane tissue or cell thereof; b) co-cultivating said Agrobacterium-inoculated sugar cane tissue or cell thereof on a surface in the absence of co-culture media for a time period sufficient to reduce original weight of said Agrobacterium-inoculated sugar cane tissue or cell thereof; and c) selecting a transformed sugar cane tissue or a cell thereof comprising said nucleic acid of interest. The transformation methods of the invention provide for increased transformation frequency and recovery of transgenic sugar cane plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules comprising one or more nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8, and/or SEQ ID NO:10 that can be operably linked to a promoter, thereby making the promoter inducible by a chemical compound that can induce the expression of the alcohol dehydrogenase system of Aspergillus nidulans. Methods for making an inducible promoter and for making the expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest inducible are also provided. Further provided are plants, plant parts, and plant cells, comprising the compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a transformed sugar cane tissue or cell thereof, said methods comprising: a) inoculating a sugar cane tissue or a cell thereof with an Agrobacterium inoculation suspension, said Agrobacterium comprising a nucleic acid of interest, to obtain an Agrobacterium-inoculated sugar cane tissue or cell thereof; b) co-cultivating said Agrobacterium-inoculated sugar cane tissue or cell thereof on a surface in the absence of co-culture media for a time period sufficient to reduce original weight of said Agrobacterium-inoculated-inoculated sugar cane tissue or cell thereof; and c) selecting a transformed sugar cane tissue or a cell thereof comprising said nucleic acid of interest. The transformation methods of the invention provide for increased transformation frequency and recovery of transgenic sugar cane plants.