The invention provides a genetically modified plant or plant cell transformed with an isolated nucleic acid, wherein the isolated nucleic acid encodes a SYAC1 protein or a protein related to the SYAC1 protein or a protein with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99% or more sequence identity protein with a SYAC1 protein. The invention also provides a genetically modified plant or plant cell engineered to express a reduced level, or no, SYAC1 protein. A genetically modified plant according to the invention may be more resistant to infection by Plasmodiophora brassicae. Alternatively, the invention provides a genetically modified plant with increased levels of SYAC1 protein or related protein which is more receptive to beneficial microorganisms and/or grows more effectively on land contaminated with heavy metals.

Vectors for expression of proteins in plants are described. The proteins may be enzymes and the enzymes can be but are not limited to cell wall degrading enzymes. A number of plants designed to express specific cell wall degrading enzymes are provided. The plants may have industrial and/or agricultural applications. Methods and materials for making the expression vectors and for making the plants are provided. Processes for which the plants could be used in industrial and agricultural applications are also provided.

Enzyme containing compositions and methods are disclosed which are useful for treating cellulosic materials, such as textiles. Also provided are transgenic plants expressing one or more enzymes and compositions comprising crude extracts obtained therefrom useful for the treatment of foodstuffs which are suitable for human consumption after treatment.

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions with reduced glucosinolate content as well as plants that yield such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are provided. Methods of making and using the pennycress plants and/or seed that provide such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are also provided.

The invention provides compositions and methods relating to the elevation of glucoraphanin compared to standard Brassica oleracea varieties. The invention also relates to the production of hybrid varieties having desired glucosinolate contents. The invention further provides plants, plant parts, and seeds comprising such traits and comprising a Myb28 allele from Brassica villosa that is not genetically linked to an ELONG allele from Brassica villosa.

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions with reduced glucosinolate content as well as plants that yield such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are provided. Methods of making and using the pennycress plants and/or seed that provide such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are also provided.

Methods and materials for modulating biomass composition in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding biomass composition-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having altered biomass composition and plant products produced from plants having altered biomass composition.

Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions with reduced glucosinolate content as well as plants that yield such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are provided. Methods of making and using the pennycress plants and/or seed that provide such seed, seed lots, seed meal, and compositions are also provided.

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-xylosidase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Nucleic acid constructs, and cells, plants, and plant parts containing such constructs, for modifying content of biomass constituents (e.g, lignin, hemicellulose, and/or cellulose) in plants via altered expression of certain transcription factors (regulators). Lignin, hemicellulose, and/or cellulose content can be decreased by increasing expression of certain negative regulators, or by decreasing expression of positive regulators. Alternatively, lignin, hemicellulose, and/or cellulose content can be increased by decreasing expression of negative regulators, or by increasing expression of positive regulators.