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

Other

University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Clemson University

Ralph Scorza

Dennis J Gray

Christopher D Dardick

Ann M Callahan

William R Okie

Courtney A Hollender

Guido Schnabel

Desmond R Layne

Mark Demuth

Chinnathambi Srinivasan

Dennis Gonsalves

Chris Dardick

Michel Ravelonandro

This invention relates to new and distinct cultivar of peach rootstock tree named 'Jam 23'. The new cultivar is primarily characterized by its cold hardiness and late blooming making it suitable for the reliable production of rootstock seeds with red leaf color, high levels of germination and cold hardiness.

Red leaf peach rootstock named 'JAM 23'

A new hardy kiwi is of the variety denominated 'Tango'Planch, originated from open pollination ofselections collected in Rome. This new kiwi can be distinguished by its cold hardiness, high fruit quality, and relatively large fruit size.

Hardy kiwi plant named 'Tango'

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.

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A new and distinct variety of yellow nectarine tree denominated 'NECTAFEST', having an upright growth form producing yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, of large size for its ripening season, with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color, ripening early in the growing season.

Nectarine tree named 'Nectafest'

To produce early flowering genotypes, plum () was transformed with the poplar () Flowering Locus T1 (PtFT1) gene. Ectopic expression of 35S::PtFT1 Induced early flowering in vitro from transgenic plantlets within two months of transformation. When the transgenic plum plants were rooted and transferred to soil and grown in posts in the growth chamber, a number of additional lines flowered. Normal flowering and fruiting were observed in the greenhouse within one year of transformation. While dormancy was not necessary for growth or fruiting, FT plums were still winter hardy and floral bud set and flowering responded normally to changes in temperature. By manipulating a single gene, temperate tree crops can be effectively engineered for cultivation in new growing areas and for entirely new modes of agricultural production that are continuous, sustainable, and adaptable to climate change.

Development of very early flowering and normal fruiting plum with fertile seeds

A new and distinct variety of peach which is characterized by producing large, yellow, melting-flesh fruit with an excellent sweet, only mildly acidic dessert quality flavor. Fruit are melting flesh freestone with an 80% red over-color (blush) over a golden yellow undercolor and average 71 to 75 mm in diameter, ripening in early mid season.

Peach tree named 'KV00398'

A new and distinct variety of peach tree which is characterized by an upright tree growth form; producing yellow, melting-flesh fruit of excellent dessert-quality flavor, of large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color, ripening in late mid-season.

Peach tree named 'KV981175'

Transgenic plants, plant tissue, and propagation materials are disclosed that exhibit or convey increased resistance to pathogens of multiple higher-order phylogenetic lineages. The disclosed transgenic plants and plant tissues include plant cells containing a DNA construct encodingAnti-Fungal Protein (GAFP), also known as gastrodianin, an anti-fungal gene naturally occurring in a Chinese orchid,. Transgenic plants disclosed include herbaceous plants as well as woody plants, including fruit trees. Disclosed transgenic plants can also be beneficially utilized as rootstock, for instance rootstock for stone fruit crops such as peach, thereby conferring enhanced disease resistance to the rootstock without genetically altering the scion.

Increased resistance of plants to pathogens from multiple higher-order phylogenetic lineages

Disclosed are methods for producing grape plants having resistance to bunch rot disease oror both. Also disclosed are grape plants having resistance to bunch rot disease oror both, wherein the plants express a cecropin B peptide Shiva-1.

A new and distinct variety of peach called 'Crimson Rocket' is characterized by a narrow, columnar growth form suitable for high-density plantings, home gardens and ornamental purposes. Fruit is yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, and of medium to large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color.

Peach tree named 'Crimson Rocket'

A new and distinct variety of plum is transgenic and is characterized by the presence of the plum pox virus coat protein gene and genes for kanamycin resistance (NPTII) and &bgr;-glucuronidase (GUS). The plum pox virus coat protein transgene imparts a high level of resistance to plum pox virus. In field tests, 'HoneySweet' has been shown to be immune to transmission of plum pox virus by the natural aphid vectors present at the field test site. When 'HoneySweet' is bud-graft inoculated with plum pox virus, it supports only a very low level of virus and is symptomless or shows only transient, very mild symptoms. Fruit of &lsquo;HoneySweet&rsquo; is large and sweet, firm and attractive. The tree is productive vigorous, with an upright growth habit.

Plum Tree named 'HoneySweet'

A new and distinct variety of peach called 'Sweet-N-UP' is characterized by an upright tree growth form suitable for standard-density and high-density plantings. Fruit is yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, and of large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color.

Peach tree named 'Sweet-N-UP'

Disclosed are methods for producing transgenic grapevines with resistance to a plant pathogen, the method includes: transforming a plant cell of the genus Vitis with a nucleic acid which expresses a lytic peptide, where the expression of the lytic peptide provides resistance to a plant pathogen.

Growing community of inventors

Shepherdstown, WV, United States of America

Ralph Scorza