Patents by Inventor Ralph Scorza
Ralph Scorza has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20200413584Abstract: A new hardy kiwi is of the variety denominated ‘Tango’ Actinidia chinensis Planch, originated from open pollination of A. chinensis selections collected in Rome. This new kiwi can be distinguished by its cold hardiness, high fruit quality, and relatively large fruit size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Ralph Scorza, Mark Demuth
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Publication number: 20190082570Abstract: This invention relates to new and distinct cultivar of peach rootstock named ‘Jam 23’. The new cultivar is primarily characterized by its cold hardiness and late blooming making it suitable for the reliable production of rootstock seeds with red leaf color, high levels of germination and cold hardiness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventor: Ralph Scorza
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Publication number: 20190062381Abstract: Genetically altered eudicots that have the altered phenotype of weeping are provided. The genetically altered eudicots contain a genetic alteration that silences the expression of the WEEP gene or that results in production of non-functional WEEP protein or that results in production of a reduced amount of functional WEEP protein compared to the amount of functional WEEP protein produced by a wild-type eudicot with a non-weeping phenotype. Methods of producing such genetically altered eudicots are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Christopher D. Dardick, Ralph Scorza, Courtney A. Hollender
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Patent number: 9944940Abstract: The genetic basis for a recessive dwarf trait (dw) in peach (Prunus persica) was determined. Using a sequencing-based bulk-segregant mapping strategy, dw was positioned on the distal end of peach chromosome 6. At the center of the mapped locus, a SNP leading to a premature stop codon was identified within the coding region of a homolog of the Giberellic Acid (GA) receptor GID1 (GA Insensitive Dwarf 1). Silencing of GID1c in the closely related species Prunus domestica (plum) led to dwarf phenotypes with shortened internodes similar to dw/dw peaches. The degree of GID1c silencing corresponded to the degree of dwarfing. Anatomical expression studies showed that GID1c was highly expressed in all actively growing peach tissues, but more predominant in apical meristems and roots. These data establish that GID1c serves a primary role in the rapid growth and elongation of peach vegetative tissues, thus providing new methods to control tree size without impacting flower or fruit development.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Christopher D. Dardick, Ralph Scorza, Courtney A. Hollender
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Publication number: 20170088846Abstract: Technology to optimize plant architecture is critical for future efforts to increase planting density in a wide range of crops. Little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms governing this basic plant developmental feature, particularly in fruit trees. Recently, a pair of distantly related genes called LAZY1 and TILLER ANGLE CONTROL 1 (TAC1) was shown to have opposing effects on lateral branch angle in monocots and dicots. We have characterized the LAZY1 gene in both Arabidopsis and plum (Prunus domestica) and assessed its functional relationship with TAC1. Both lazy1 and tac1:lazy1 Arabidopsis plants showed a previously unreported weeping phenotype. Transgenic plum lines silenced for LAZY1 showed horizontal branch angles, sometimes marked by rootward lateral branch growth. Our results establish that manipulation of LAZY1 gene function results in changes in tree shape and can be used to engineer fruit or ornamental trees with desired branch angles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Christopher D. Dardick, Ralph Scorza, Courtney A. Hollender
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Publication number: 20160362701Abstract: The genetic basis for a recessive dwarf trait (dw) in peach (Prunus persica) was determined. Using a sequencing-based bulk-segregant mapping strategy, dw was positioned on the distal end of peach chromosome 6. At the center of the mapped locus, a SNP leading to a premature stop codon was identified within the coding region of a homolog of the Giberellic Acid (GA) receptor GID1 (GA Insensitive Dwarf 1). Silencing of GID1c in the closely related species Prunus domestica (plum) led to dwarf phenotypes with shortened internodes similar to dw/dw peaches. The degree of GID1c silencing corresponded to the degree of dwarfing. Anatomical expression studies showed that GID1c was highly expressed in all actively growing peach tissues, but more predominant in apical meristems and roots. These data establish that GID1c serves a primary role in the rapid growth and elongation of peach vegetative tissues, thus providing new methods to control tree size without impacting flower or fruit development.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Christopher D. Dardick, Ralph Scorza, Courtney A. Hollender
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Patent number: 9371536Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gene that controls the branching angle of a tree wherein either silencing or overexpressing PpeTAC1 controls the architecture of transformed to the tree.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Christopher D. Dardick, Ann M. Callahan, Ralph Scorza
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Publication number: 20140304852Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gene that controls the branching angle of a tree wherein either silencing or overexpressing PpeTAC1 controls the architecture of transformed to the tree.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Christopher D. Dardick, Ann M. Callahan, Ralph Scorza
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Patent number: 8633354Abstract: To produce early flowering genotypes, plum (Prunus domestica) was transformed with the poplar (Populus trichocarpa) Flowering Locus T1 (PtFT1) gene. Ectopic expression of 35S::PtFT1 Induced early flowering in vitro from transgenic plantlets within two months of transformation. When the transgenic plum plants were rooted and transferred to soil and grown in posts in the growth chamber, a number of additional lines flowered. Normal flowering and fruiting were observed in the greenhouse within one year of transformation. While dormancy was not necessary for growth or fruiting, FT plums were still winter hardy and floral bud set and flowering responded normally to changes in temperature. By manipulating a single gene, temperate tree crops can be effectively engineered for cultivation in new growing areas and for entirely new modes of agricultural production that are continuous, sustainable, and adaptable to climate change.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Chinnathambi Srinivasan, Ralph Scorza, Ann Callahan, Chris Dardick
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Publication number: 20110067147Abstract: To produce early flowering genotypes, plum (Prunus domestica) was transformed with the poplar (Populus trichocarpa) Flowering Locus T1 (PtFT1) gene. Ectopic expression of 35S::PtFT1 Induced early flowering in vitro from transgenic plantlets within two months of transformation. When the transgenic plum plants were rooted and transferred to soil and grown in posts in the growth chamber, a number of additional lines flowered. Normal flowering and fruiting were observed in the greenhouse within one year of transformation. While dormancy was not necessary for growth or fruiting, FT plums were still winter hardy and floral bud set and flowering responded normally to changes in temperature. By manipulating a single gene, temperate tree crops can be effectively engineered for cultivation in new growing areas and for entirely new modes of agricultural production that are continuous, sustainable, and adaptable to climate change.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Chinnathambi Srinivasan, Ralph Scorza, Ann Callahan, Chris Dardick
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Patent number: 7807869Abstract: Transgenic plants, plant tissue, and propagation materials are disclosed that exhibit or convey increased resistance to pathogens of multiple higher-order phylogenetic lineages. The disclosed transgenic plants and plant tissues include plant cells containing a DNA construct encoding Gastrodia Anti-Fungal Protein (GAFP), also known as gastrodianin, an anti-fungal gene naturally occurring in a Chinese orchid, Gastrodia elata. Transgenic plants disclosed include herbaceous plants as well as woody plants, including fruit trees. Disclosed transgenic plants can also be beneficially utilized as rootstock, for instance rootstock for stone fruit crops such as peach, thereby conferring enhanced disease resistance to the rootstock without genetically altering the scion.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Inventors: Guido Schnabel, Ralph Scorza, Desmond R. Layne
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Patent number: 7151203Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing grape plants having resistance to bunch rot disease or Botrytis or both. Also disclosed are grape plants having resistance to bunch rot disease or Botrytis or both, wherein the plants express a cecropin B peptide Shiva-1.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgriculureInventors: Ralph Scorza, Dennis J. Gray
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Patent number: PP15063Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach called ‘Sweet-N-UP’ is characterized by an upright tree growth form suitable for standard-density and high-density plantings. Fruit is yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, and of large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventor: Ralph Scorza
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Patent number: PP15154Abstract: A new and distinct variety of plum is transgenic and is characterized by the presence of the plum pox virus coat protein gene and genes for kanamycin resistance (NPTII) and &bgr;-glucuronidase (GUS). The plum pox virus coat protein transgene imparts a high level of resistance to plum pox virus. In field tests, ‘HoneySweet’ has been shown to be immune to transmission of plum pox virus by the natural aphid vectors present at the field test site. When ‘HoneySweet’ is bud-graft inoculated with plum pox virus, it supports only a very low level of virus and is symptomless or shows only transient, very mild symptoms. Fruit of ‘HoneySweet’ is large and sweet, firm and attractive. The tree is productive vigorous, with an upright growth habit.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Ralph Scorza, Michel Ravelonandro, Dennis Gonsalves
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Patent number: PP15216Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach called ‘Crimson Rocket’ is characterized by a narrow, columnar growth form suitable for high-density plantings, home gardens and ornamental purposes. Fruit is yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, and of medium to large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventor: Ralph Scorza
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Patent number: PP21378Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach which is characterized by producing large, yellow, melting-flesh fruit with an excellent sweet, only mildly acidic dessert quality flavor. Fruit are melting flesh freestone with an 80% red over-color (blush) over a golden yellow undercolor and average 71 to 75 mm in diameter, ripening in early mid season.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Ralph Scorza, William R. Okie
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Patent number: PP21379Abstract: A new and distinct variety of peach tree which is characterized by an upright tree growth form; producing yellow, melting-flesh fruit of excellent dessert-quality flavor, of large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color, ripening in late mid-season.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventor: Ralph Scorza
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Patent number: PP25694Abstract: A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTAFEST’, having an upright growth form producing yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, of large size for its ripening season, with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color, ripening early in the growing season.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventor: Ralph Scorza
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Patent number: PP32617Abstract: A new hardy kiwi is of the variety denominated ‘Tango’ Actinidia chinensis Planch, originated from open pollination of A. chinensis selections collected in Rome. This new kiwi can be distinguished by its cold hardiness, high fruit quality, and relatively large fruit size.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Ralph Scorza, Mark Demuth
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Patent number: PP32854Abstract: This invention relates to new and distinct cultivar of peach rootstock tree named ‘Jam 23’. The new cultivar is primarily characterized by its cold hardiness and late blooming making it suitable for the reliable production of rootstock seeds with red leaf color, high levels of germination and cold hardiness.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventor: Ralph Scorza