The Penn State Research Foundation

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Jonathan Paul Lynch

Edward W Reutzel

Benjamin Hall

Galen Lynch

Shawn Michael Kaeppler

Malcolm John Bennett

Robert H Snyder

Hannah Marie Schneider

Patompong Saengwilai

James Johnson

Brian T Reinhardt

Eric Lyons

Kathleen M Brown

E Jay Holcomb

The present invention relates to crop breeding. More particularly, the present invention relates to targeted modification of root angle to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in maize. In one aspect, the invention provides recombinant maize exhibiting increased root angle by decreasing the function of the maize ZMCIPKgene. Methods of making the recombinant maize and various methods of plant selection and breeding are further provided.

Mutation of the ZMCIPK15 gene to increase root angle and to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in maize

The present invention relates to crop breeding. More particularly, the present invention relates to targeted modification of root to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in maize. In one aspect, the invention provides recombinant maize exhibiting increased root cortical aerenchyma (RCA). Methods of making the recombinant maize and various methods of plant selection and breeding are further provided.

Targeted modification of maize roots to enhance abiotic stress tolerance

A laser ablation tomography system includes a specimen stage for supporting a specimen. A specimen axis is defined such that a specimen disposed generally on the axis may be imaged. A laser system is operable to produce a laser sheet in a plane intersecting the specimen axis and generally perpendicular thereto. An imaging system is operable to image the area where the laser sheet intersects the specimen axis.

3D laser ablation tomography

3D laser ablation tomography and spectrographic analysis

The present invention provides a phosphorus solid-phase buffering system that can be spatially localized, i.e., banded on top of, or at specific depths, in media, e.g., soil, by which phosphorus concentrations in the media are reduced or maintained at levels sufficient for optimal plant performance. Also provided are methods for improving the cultivation of plants growing in different media. The present invention provides benefits, such as reduced water and pesticide requirements, reduced phosphorus leaching and runoff, and enhanced root growth. The invention can be used in connection with containerized or field-grown plants, e.g., crops, grasses, trees, and the like. The invention is particularly useful for greenhouse and nursery plants, ornamental propagation, vegetable and bedding transplants, and for turf used for stadium fields, golf courses, lawns and the like, where phosphorus leaching is particularly undesirable.

Use of solid-phase buffer to improve plant cultivation

A method of providing a continuous, buffered, low-leaching phosphorus fertilization of field plants in soil has been developed. The method is broadly applicable to field soils, but is particularly well-suited to soil that has inherently low phosphorus (P) retention ability, including sandy soils, peats, and mucks. The invention describes the use of phosphorus (P) fixed to alumina (Al) as a fertilizer and phosphorus buffer in field soils. The Al&mdash;P. when incorporated into soil in a concentration between 0.25 and 20% by weight/volume, will release P from the Al using a dynamic solid phase solution phase exchange equilibrium driven by plant uptake of P, thus providing P for plant growth, while also minimizing P leaching from the soil. The Al&mdash;P buffer/fertilizer can be applied and incorporated into field soils prior to planting of crops, grass, or other plants requiring P for growth, or may be incorporated into exposed soil between growing plants to buffer against P leaching and runoff. Importantly, once incorporated into the soil, modified Al can be recharged with P in situ to provide a continuous and persistent P buffer and fertilizer.

Solid-phase phosphorus buffer for sustained, low-leaching phosphorus fertilization of field-grown plants

A method for providing a P buffer fertilizer to plants growing in soilless media has been developed. Plants are provided with phosphorus (P) fixed to alumina (Al) in a concentration ranging from 0.25-16% by volume as a solid-phase P buffer for sustained release of P. The resulting plants show increased root growth and resistance to transplant stress. The invention has the further benefit that it virtually eliminate P leaching from the growing media. The fertilizer can be applied to containerized plants, crops, grass or other plants requiring P for growth. The invention is particular useful for greenhouse plants, vegetable and bedding transplants, stadium fields and golf courses where P leaching from the growing media is undesirable. The invention is particularly useful for transplants because it affords increased root growth which increases the probability of transplant success.

Growing community of inventors

Boalsburg, PA, United States of America

Jonathan Paul Lynch