United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

Christopher D Dardick

Ann M Callahan

Ralph Scorza

James G Thomson

Roger L Thilmony

Kasturi Dasgupta

Courtney A Hollender

Wojciech J Janisiewicz

Zongrang Liu

Jessica M Guseman

Zhijian Li

The disclosure relates to polynucleotides comprising an endocarp-specific promoter sequence from the peach peroxidase (POX) gene operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding a product of interest. The polynucleotides can be used to specifically alter endosperm gene expression in fruit. In a transgenic cell, the polynucleotides may block formation of phenylpropanoid pathway lignin-pathway precursors, formation of lignin monomers, and/or polymerization of lignin monomers.

Endocarp-specific promoter and uses thereof

The present disclosure provides genetic constructs containing a promotor that is useful in driving fruit-specific expression in plants. Further provided are expression vectors, transgenic plants, and plant parts containing such genetic constructs, as well as uses thereof.

Fruit-specific promoters

A method of increasing east one growth characteristic of a plant comprising growing astrain in or on a medium in a container, where a headspace of saidin said container is in fluid communication with a headspace of said plant, where saidproduces at least one volatile organic compound (VOC), where said at least one VOC produced by saidcauses the plant to have an increase in at least one growth characteristic when compared to the growth characteristic of a plant which has not been exposed to the VOC, and where saidcomprises an ITS1/2 consensus amplicon of SEQ ID NO: 5 and an ITS3/4 consensus amplicon of SEQ ID NO: 6.

Fungal volatile organic compound enhances plant s growth characteristics

The present disclosure provides genetic constructs containing a promoter that is useful in driving fruit-specific expression in plants. Further provided are expression vectors, transgenic plants and plant parts containing such genetic constructs, as well as uses thereof.

Root orientation, or angle, is an important component of root architecture and depth of the root system. We have determined that DRO1 and DRO1-related genes are present across diverse plant phyla and fall within the IGT gene family. DRO1, present in bothand peach, displayed root specific expression patterns. AtDRO1 is predominantly expressed in both the root vasculature and root tips in a distinct developmental pattern. Mutation of AtDRO1 led to more horizontal lateral root angles; over-expression of AtDRO1 under a constitutive promoter reduced lateral root angles and resulted in shoot phenotypes including upward leaf curling, shortened siliques, and narrow lateral branch angles. Over-expression of PpeDRO1 in plum () led to deeper rooting phenotypes. These data establish that DRO1-related genes serve a role in altering root architecture, providing a method for drought avoidance.

DRO1 related genes influence lateral root orientation and growth inandspecies

The genetic basis for a recessive dwarf trait (dw) in peach () 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(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.

Effect of PpeGID1c on vegetative growth of fruit trees

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.

Growing community of inventors

Shenandoah Junction, WV, United States of America

Christopher D Dardick