Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in tobacco plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for a root-specific nicotine demethylases, CYP82E10, and variants thereof, that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Compositions of the invention also include tobacco plants, or plant parts thereof, comprising a mutation in a gene encoding a CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase, wherein the mutation results in reduced expression or function of the CYP82E10 nicotine demethylase. Seed of these tobacco plants, or progeny thereof, and tobacco products prepared from the tobacco plants of the invention, or from plant parts or progeny thereof, are also provided. Methods for reducing the level of nornicotine, or reducing the rate of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine, in a tobacco plant, or plant part thereof are also provided. The methods comprise introducing into the genome of a tobacco plant a mutation within at least one allele of each of at least three nicotine demethylase genes, wherein the mutation reduces expression of the nicotine demethylase gene, and wherein a first of these nicotine demethylase genes encodes a root-specific nicotine demethylase involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in a tobacco plant or a plant part thereof. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

The invention provides promoter sequences that regulate specific expression of operably linked sequences in developing xylem cells and/or in developing xylem tissue. The developing xylem-specific sequences are exemplified by the DX5, DX8, DX11, and DX15 promoters, portions thereof, and homologs thereof. The invention further provides expression vectors, cells, tissues and plants that contain the invention's sequences. The compositions of the invention and methods of using them are useful in, for example, improving the quantity (biomass) and/or the quality (wood density, lignin content, sugar content etc.) of expressed biomass feedstock products that may be used for bioenergy, biorefinary, and generating wood products such as pulp, paper, and solid wood.

The invention relates to transgenic plants comprising an inverted-repeat construct which triggers post-transcriptional gene silencing of an endogenous visual reporter gene driven by a tissue-specific promoter wherein said tissue is relevant for pathogen entry, propagation or replication and their uses for screening natural or synthetic molecules, microorganisms or extracts from micro- or macro-organisms for their potential ability to inhibit pathogen entry, propagation or replication in plants by enhancing PTGS or for characterizing the mode of action of natural or synthetic molecules that are known to enhance plant disease resistance through an ill-defined mode of action.

This disclosure concerns compositions and methods for promoting transcription of a nucleotide sequence in a plant or plant cell, employing a Zea mays GRMZM2G138258 promoter. Some embodiments relate to a Zea mays GRMZM2G138258 promoter that functions in plants to promote transcription of operably linked nucleotide sequences. Other embodiments relate to a Zea mays GRMZM2G138258 3′UTR that functions in plants to terminate transcription of operably linked nucleotide sequences.

Improved methods of producing nucleic acid molecules, proteins and peptides in host cells and genetically engineered plants, vectors and constructs therefor.

Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Compositions comprise promoter sequences that direct expression of an operably linked nucleotide in a developmentally regulated manner. Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

The invention provides nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of the Dipgene as well as (functional) homologues, fragments and variants thereof, which provides diplospory as a part of apomixis. Also diplospory plants and methods for making these are provided, as are methods of using these, and methods of making apomictic seed.

The present disclosure identifies new genes which have the potential to increase broad acre yield in crops. This disclosure is based upon our fundamental knowledge of light signal transduction and our understanding of tile roles these genes play in regulating plant growth and development in response to light. Transgenic plants with gain- or loss-of-function of one of these genes, or in combination, are expected to show significant improvements in broad acre yield and stress tolerance.

Provided herein are methods for using RNAi molecules targeting a proteasome beta 5 (PSMB5) gene for controlling Coleopteran insects, methods for producing RNAi molecules targeting PSMB5, and compositions comprising RNAi molecules targeting PSMB5.

The invention provides nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of the Dip gene as well as (functional) homologues, fragments and variants thereof, which provides diplospory as a part of apomixis. Also diplospory plants and methods for making these are provided, as are methods of using these, and methods of making apomictic seed.