Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified plant promoter and applications using the same, including an expression construct comprising the promoter for expressing a gene of interest in a plant expression system. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for producing a polypeptide by expressing a plant cell transformed with the expression construct and recovering the polypeptide from the culture. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a polypeptide by growing a transgenic plant transformed with the expression construct and recovering the polypeptide from the transgenic plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants transformed with exogenous nucleic acid encoding a Dunaliella plasma membrane (PM)-ATPase. The transgenic plant has increased tolerance to salt as compared to a corresponding non-transgenic plant. The present invention also provides nucleic acids encoding a chimeric PM-ATPase, which comprise a first portion encoding a plant PM-ATPase or a fragment thereof, and a second portion encoding a Dunaliella PM-ATPase or a fragment thereof. The present invention also discloses a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased tolerance to salt as compared to a corresponding non-transgenic plant, a method of modifying a plant capacity to survive salt shock, and a method of modifying plant recovery after exposure to salt stress, by introducing into one or more cells of a plant an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a Dunaliella PM-ATPase.

Abstract: A method for producing leafy biomass from undifferentiated plant cells, the method comprising providing undifferentiated plant cells, contacting them with an agent that promotes differentiation of the cells into leafy tissue and growing the cells in a temporary liquid immersion culture system. This method of the invention may be used to produce polypeptides, and natural medicinal products, and can be used to capture carbon dioxide. A method of producing a polypeptide in plant cells in vitro comprising: providing undifferentiated plant cells containing chloroplasts that carry a transgenic nucleic acid molecule encoding the polypeptide, wherein the plant cells display homoplastomy; and propagating the cells according to the above method to produce leafy biomass containing the polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates “disarmed” strain variants of Agrobacterium strain K599 (NCPPB 2659), “disarmed” plasmid variants of the Ri-plasmid pRi2659, and derivatives thereof, and methods employing these strains and plasmids in plant transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient method for producing a transformed plant by expressing a hormone gene positioned within a plasmid backbone that also carries a P-DNA or T-DNA to obtain backbone-free transformed plants.

Abstract: A method of mass producing potato seedlings, involves collecting growing points of seed potatoes and culturing the growing points in a liquid or solid medium; introducing in vitro plantlets obtained from the culture of the growing points to solid culture; and removing the in vitro plantlets from the solid culture, and planting through stem cutting and acclimatizing the in vitro plantlets in deep flow culture, in which a nutrient solution is circulating. Upon planting in hydroponic facilities, such potato seedlings have high adaptability to the external environment and thus rapidly, uniformly generate roots in a short time. The rapid root anchoring prevents planted seedlings from withering, leading to death, growing poorly, and the like. The direct planting of in vitro plantlets through stem cutting without a separate acclimatization process shortens the overall production period of potato seedlings by omitting the acclimatization process.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids from potato encoding LRR polypeptides that confer late blight disease resistance in plants of the Solanaceae family and vectors and transgenic plants comprising the nucleic acids. The invention also provides a method for providing a plant or its progeny with resistance against an oomycete infection comprising providing said plant or part thereof with a gene or functional fragment thereof comprising a nucleic acid, said nucleic acid encoding a gene product that is capable of providing a member of the Solanaceae with resistance against an oomycete fungus.

Abstract: A toxicant detection system comprises at least one watertight chamber containing a mollusk. Water to be screened is introduced into the chamber. The mollusk is preferably supported on a mounting structure which facilitates quick mounting of the mollusk in the device, comprising a releasable element affixed to the shell of the mollusk, e.g., a bolt which is screwed into a nut affixed to the mollusk's shell. A sensing apparatus is provided which includes a movable member supported in the chamber so that it engages the shell of the mollusk, and moves when the shell opens and closes. The sensing apparatus detects the position of the mollusk shell based on the position of the movable member. The sensing apparatus preferably includes a Hall effect transducer which co-acts with a magnet carried on the movable member.

Abstract: A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species Solanum tuberosum, designated FL 2048, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL 2048, to the plants of potato variety FL 2048, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL 2048 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Abstract: A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species Solanum tuberosum, designated FL 2027, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL 2027, to the plants of potato variety FL 2027, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL 2027 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Abstract: A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species Solanum tuberosum, designated FL1900, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1900, to the plants of potato variety FL1900, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1900 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transforming plants cells by introducing a heterologous gene into competent plant cells with a gene for tolerance to HPPD inhibitors as a selection marker wherein a step for bleaching the competent plant cells is carried out prior to transforming the cells by introducing a suitable amount of HPPD inhibitor into the cell culture medium. The invention also provides methods for preparing transgenic plants comprising a heterologous gene.

Abstract: The subject invention is related to a method for recombinantly and transiently producing a polypeptide in a plant tissue, which includes providing a plant tissue sample in a bioreactor; adding to the plant tissue sample, a sample of Agrobacterium containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide on the T-DNA, co-culturing the plant tissue sample with the Agrobacterium so that the nucleotide sequence is transferred to the plant, allowing the plant tissue to transiently express the polypeptide, and then separating the polypeptide from the mixture.

Abstract: A method is provided for transforming solanaceous plants to express DNA sequences interest from the plant cell plastid. The improved method allows the transformation of solanaceous plant tissue which is not obtained from tobacco with DNA constructs. Such DNA constructs comprise, in the 5′ to 3′ direction of transcription, a promoter region functional in a plant plastid and a DNA sequence of interest. The method can be utilized in the transformation of solanaceous plants, such as potato and petunia. The invention further provides constructs and methods for the expression of green fluorescent protein from the plant cell plastid.

Abstract: A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species Solanum tuberosum, designated FL1889, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1889, to the plants of potato variety FL1889, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1889 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Abstract: A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species Solanum tuberosum, designated FL1944, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1944, to the plants of potato variety FL1944, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1944 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Abstract: A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species Solanum tuberosum, designated FL1930, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1930, to the plants of potato variety FL1930, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1930 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amino acid sequence of second starch branching enzyme (SBE II) of potato and a fragment thereof as well as to the corresponding isolated DNA sequences. Furthermore, the invention relates to vectors comprising such an isolated DNA sequence, to processes for production of transgenic potatoes, and to the use of said potatoes for the production of starch. The starch obtained will show a changed pattern of branching of amylopectin as well as a changed amylose/amylopectin ratio.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of a transgenic plant of rice crop comprising the steps of infecting an immature embryo of rice crop with the genus Agrobacterium for transformation; co-culturing the infected embryo with a dicot suspension culture during the step of transformation; allowing the transformed embryo to grow into a callus in a selective medium comprising a sufficient amount of a plant growth hormone for the growth of rice crop; and allowing the cultured callus to regenerate root and shoot in a regeneration medium comprising a pre-determined amount of nutrients for the growth of rice crop. The invention is further directed to a transformed rice plant made by methods of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amino acid sequence of second starch branching enzyme (SBE II) of potato and a fragment thereof as well as to the corresponding isolated DNA sequences. Furthermore, the invention relates to vectors comprising such an isolated DNA sequence, to processes for production of transgenic potatoes, and to the use of said potatoes for the production of starch. The starch obtained will show a changed pattern of branching of amylopectin as well as a changed amylose/amylopectin ratio.

Abstract: A first method is provided for in vitro selection of Lemhi and Russet Burbank potatoes for blackspot resistance using plant tissue culturing techniques. A second method is provided using at least one melanin precursor added to the tissue culturing media. The blackspot resistant potatoes produced from such methods are also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for producing somatic embryos on plant tissue. Furthermore, somatic embryos may be produced using explants obtained from a broad range of plant species, and using either juvenile or mature tissues. The method involves obtaining a stock tissue culture plantlet by exposing the plant tissue to a medium comprising salts, vitamins and an energy source; preparing an explant from the stock tissue culture plantlet; transferring the explant to a proliferation medium comprising salts, vitamins, an energy source and at least one growth regulator for a period of time sufficient to produce a callused explant; and transferring the callused explant to a medium comprising salts, vitamins, an energy source and at least two growth regulators for a period of time sufficient to produce somatic embryos. Following this method somatic embryos are produce in significantly less time that observed using other somatic embryogenesis protocols.

Abstract: A first method is provided for in vitro selection of Lemhi and Russet Burbank potatoes for blackspot resistance using plant tissue culturing techniques. A second method is provided using at least one melanin precursor added to the tissue culturing media. The blackspot resistant potatoes produced from such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are transgenic plants with resistance to viral infection polynucleotides and methods for conferring such resistance, and methods for producing the transgenic plants. Plants transformed with a nucleotide sequence encoding a P1 protein of potato virus Y result in plants having increased resistance to infection by potato virus Y.

Abstract: A large quantity of potato microtubers can be produced easily and in a short period of time by a method of production comprising a first step wherein potato plants are cultured in a medium with a relatively low sugar concentration under a relatively large quantity of light irradiation per day and a second step wherein the resultant potato plants are cultured in a medium with a relatively high sugar concentration under a relatively small quantity of light irradiation per day, the culture in the first step being carried out in the presence of exogenous ethylene and the culture in the second step being carried out in the absence of exogenous ethylene.

Abstract: Disclosed are the novel microorganisms HF8815 and HF8835 belonging to Genus Fusarium oxysporum which are non-pathogenic to garlic and capable of suppressing mycotic infection in garlic. A suppressant for mycotic infection in garlic comprising said microorganisms or its culture medium as an effective ingredient and a method for suppressing mycotic infection in garlic utilizing said suppressant are also disclosed. The use of the microorganism can effectively suppress the mycotic infection in garlic effectuating a biological means involving cross defense mechanism without giving any adverse effects to the soil nor deteriorating the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates “disarmed” strain variants of Agrobacterium strain K599 (NCPPB 2659), “disarmed” plasmid variants of the Ri-plasmid pRi2659, and derivatives thereof, and methods employing these strains and plasmids in plant transformation.