Abstract: The present invention provides assays and methods for efficiently testing a polynucleotide of interest for a phenotype in a root. In some embodiments, the assays and methods include regenerating green tissue that is transgenic for at least one polynucleotide of interest into one or more transgenic plantlets that have at least one transgenic root. Further provided are methods of making a root assay by contacting green tissue with a first rooting medium to produce a plantlet and a plurality of roots. Additionally provided are methods of assaying for insecticidal activity on a live root. Accordingly provided herein is a substantially contamination-free, root bioassay. Further provided are methods of identifying a promoter having activity in a root.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and methods for efficiently testing a polynucleotide of interest for a phenotype in a root. In some embodiments, the assays and methods include regenerating green tissue that is transgenic for at least one polynucleotide of interest into one or more transgenic plantlets that have at least one transgenic root. Further provided are methods of making a root assay by contacting green tissue with a first rooting medium to produce a plantlet and a plurality of roots. Additionally provided are methods of assaying for insecticidal activity on a live root. Accordingly provided herein is a substantially contamination-free, root bioassay. Further provided are methods of identifying a promoter having activity in a root.

Abstract: Methods for producing homozygous plants, seeds, and plant cells are provided. The methods comprise transforming a somatic cell of a maize haploid embryo with a polynucleotide of interest and treating the transformed cell with a chromosome doubling agent. One or more growth stimulation proteins, such as, for example, RepA or Lec1, may also be provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing doubled haploid corn (Zea mays) plants, seeds, and plant cells are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the production and selection of transgenic plants and plant parts, for increasing the transformation frequency of a plant or plant part, and for regulating the expression of a transgene, such as a herbicide tolerance polynucleotide. The methods and compositions allow for the delay in the expression of herbicide tolerance polynucleotides until a point in development during which herbicide selection is more efficient. Compositions comprise polynucleotide constructs comprising an excision cassette that separates a transgene, such as a herbicide tolerance polynucleotide, from its promoter and host cells comprising the same. The excision cassette comprises a polynucleotide encoding a site-specific recombinase operably linked to an inducible promoter and expression of the recombinase leads to excision of the excision cassette and expression of the transgene.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing carotenoid levels and carotenoid half-life in plants are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with nucleic acid sequences encoding enzymes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and tocopherol and tocotrienols. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess increased beta-carotene levels and half-life. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest including plants, particularly sorghum.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency of germplasm screening for transformability may include providing a plurality of lines of plant target tissue to be transformed, characterizing each of the lines to provide characterization data, the characterization data comprises DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique response data and tissue culture response data, eliminating one or more of the plurality of lines based on the characterization data without performing transformation of the plurality of lines, such that a subset of the plurality of lines remains, and performing transformation experiments on the subset of the plurality of lines. The method may also include selecting a DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique protocol and a tissue culture protocol prior to the characterization.

Abstract: The invention provides improved plant transformation methods. In particular the method provides increased transformation frequency, especially in recalcitrant plants. The method includes various transformation protocols for monocots, such as maize and sorghum, using a combination of media and light conditions to achieve increased efficiency of monocot transformation and increased callus initiation frequencies.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency of germplasm screening for transformability may include providing a plurality of lines of plant target tissue to be transformed, characterizing each of the lines to provide characterization data, the characterization data comprises DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique response data and tissue culture response data, eliminating one or more of the plurality of lines based on the characterization data without performing transformation of the plurality of lines, such that a subset of the plurality of lines remains, and performing transformation experiments on the subset of the plurality of lines. The method may also include selecting a DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique protocol and a tissue culture protocol prior to the characterization.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the efficient transformation and regeneration of monocot plants are provided. The methods of transformation involve infection with Agrobacterium. In this manner, any gene of interest can be introduced into the monocot plant with high transformation efficiency and in low copy number. Transformed and regenerated monocot cells, tissues, plants, and seed are also provided. The invention encompasses regenerating transformed plants, transgenic seeds produced therefrom, and transgenic plants and transgenic seeds from subsequent generations.

Abstract: A method for regulating expression of a virulence gene of Agrobacterium is described. The method comprises the steps of stimulating cereal cells, such as sorghum, so as to produce an active, typically phenolic, compound and exposing the Agrobacterium to this compound. The compound induces expression of the virulence gene of the Agrobacterium, effecting T-DNA transfer from the Agrobacterium to the cereal cells, which are thereby transformed.

Abstract: A novel double haploid maize line designated PHWWD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing double haploid maize line PHWWD with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWWD through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the double haploid line PHWWD or a trait conversion of PHWWD with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PHWWD, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PHWWD and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.

Abstract: A novel double haploid maize line designated PH17AW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing double haploid maize line PH17AW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17AW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the double haploid line PH17AW or a trait conversion of PH17AW with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PH17AW, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PH17AW and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by those methods.

Abstract: A novel double haploid maize line designated PHWVZ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing double haploid maize line PHWVZ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWVZ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the double haploid line PHWVZ or a trait conversion of PHWVZ with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PHWVZ, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PHWVZ and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those method.

Abstract: A novel inbred maize line designated PHWWE and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize line PHWWE with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWWE through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred line PHWWE or a trait conversion of PHWWE with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from maize line PHWWE, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from inbred maize line PHWWE and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by the use of those methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays and methods for efficiently testing a polynucleotide of interest for a phenotype in a root. In some embodiments, the assays and methods include regenerating green tissue that is transgenic for at least one polynucleotide of interest into one or more transgenic plantlets that have at least one transgenic root. Further provided are methods of making a root assay by contacting green tissue with a first rooting medium to produce a plantlet and a plurality of roots. Additionally provided are methods of assaying for insecticidal activity on a live root. Accordingly provided herein is a substantially contamination-free, root bioassay. Further provided are methods of identifying a promoter having activity in a root.

Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency of germplasm screening for transformability may include providing a plurality of lines of plant target tissue to be transformed, characterizing each of the lines to provide characterization data, the characterization data comprises DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique response data and tissue culture response data, eliminating one or more of the plurality of lines based on the characterization data without performing transformation of the plurality of lines, such that a subset of the plurality of lines remains, and performing transformation experiments on the subset of the plurality of lines. The method may also include selecting a DNA or nucleic acid delivery technique protocol and a tissue culture protocol prior to the characterization.

Abstract: The invention provides improved plant transformation methods. In particular the method provides increased transformation frequency, especially in recalcitrant plants. The method includes various transformation protocols for monocots, such as maize and sorghum, using a combination of media and light conditions to achieve increased efficiency of monocot transformation and increased callus initiation frequencies.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided to screen, identify, select, isolate, and/or regenerate targeted integration events using seed priming. Seed priming provides the identification of a seed having stably incorporated into its genome a site-specific recombinase mediated integration of a selectable marker at a target locus operably linked to a promoter active in the seed.

Abstract: A novel double haploid maize line designated PH17AW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing double haploid maize line PH17AW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17AW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the double haploid line PH17AW or a trait conversion of PH17AW with another maize line. Inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PH17AW, methods for producing other inbred maize lines derived from double haploid maize line PH17AW and the inbred maize lines and their parts derived by those methods.