Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the class of genes involved in maize secondary wall (ZmSCW) formation. The invention provides genomic sequence for the ZmSCW genes. ZmSCW are responsible for controlling plant growth, secondary cell wall development and yield in crop plants.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments for altering root structure during plant development are disclosed along with methods of not structure alteration during plant development.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for altering the levels of seed proteins in cereal grain. The invention is directed to the alteration of seed protein levels in plant grain, resulting in grain with increased digestibility/nutrient availability, improved amino acid composition/nutritional value, increased response to feed processing, improved silage quality, and increased efficiency of wet milling.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for altering the levels of seed proteins in cereal grain. The invention is directed to the alteration of seed protein levels in plant grain, resulting in grain with increased digestibility/nutrient availability, improved amino acid composition/nutritional value, increased response to feed processing, improved silage quality, and increased efficiency of wet milling.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the class of genes involved in maize secondary wall (ZmSCW) formation. The invention provides genomic sequence for the ZmSCW genes. ZmSCW are responsible for controlling plant growth, secondary cell wall development and yield in crop plants.

Abstract: A method for the rapid isolation and identification of the DNA sequence of transposable element-tagged genes is provided. The method comprises a modified AFLP approach using a transposable element-anchored amplification to identify and clone an amplification product that is associated with a mutant phenotype. Once cloned, the amplification product of interest may be used to screen a cDNA library directly or may be sequenced and compared to available databases for sequence homology. A modification of this approach provides a method for the identification of the location of an additional type of insertion event into genomic DNA, more specifically transgene insertion into the genome of a host organism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for altering the levels of seed proteins in cereal grain. The invention is directed to the alteration of seed protein levels in plant grain, resulting in grain with increased digestibility/nutrient availability, improved amino acid composition/nutritional value, increased response to feed processing, improved silage quality, and increased efficiency of wet or dry-milling. The composition provided comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a maize 18 kD alpha-globulin cDNA as well as expression cassettes comprising nucleotide sequences of the invention. Also provided are transformed plant tissue including plants, cells and seeds thereof.

Abstract: Insertions into a gene of known sequence can be generated by crossing two parent plants, one of which contains a transposable element, to produce F1 progeny plants in which the insertion is detected by means of a PCR. F1 progeny plants containing such an insertion are self-fertilized to produce F2 progeny which are homozygous for the insertion. The function of a gene disabled by the insertion can be ascertained from a comparison of the phenotype of the F2 progeny with a parental phenotype. Large numbers of F1 progeny can be tested simultaneously for the presence of insertions. A collection of F2 seed can be stored and used for phenotype comparison when an insertion is detected.

Abstract: Insertions into a gene of known sequence can be generated by crossing two parent plants, one of which contains a transposable element, to produce F.sub.1 progeny plants in which the insertion is detected by means of a PCR. F.sub.1 progeny plants containing such an insertion are self-fertilized to produce F.sub.2 progeny which are homozygous for the insertion. The function of a gene disabled by the insertion can be ascertained from a comparison of the phenotype of the F.sub.2 progeny with a parental phenotype. Large numbers of F.sub.1 progeny can be tested simultaneously for the presence of insertions. A collection of F.sub.2 seed can be stored and used for phenotype comparison when an insertion is detected.