Compositions and methods for promoting, enhancing, and/or increasing plant growth are disclosed.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting Candidatus Liberibacter infection and Huanglongbing disease in a citrus plant by detecting the expression of small RNAs such as miRNA and siRNA. The invention also provides methods for treating Huanglongbing disease in a citrus plant by contacting the plant with a phosphorus containing solution.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting Candidatus Liberibacter infection and Huanglongbing disease in a citrus plant by detecting the expression of small RNAs such as miRNA and siRNA. The invention also provides methods for treating Huanglongbing disease in a citrus plant by contacting the plant with a phosphorus containing solution.

A method for promoting mycorrhizal symbiosis between a plant and a fungus includes using micropeptides (peptides encoded by microRNAs or “miPEPs”).

An electrical energy processing unit of an apparatus to kill a plant or at least attenuate plant growth is disclosed. The electrical energy processing unit includes a converter and a control circuit. Also disclosed are an apparatus that includes the electrical energy processing unit and a method of utilizing the apparatus. Further disclosed are a computer program for a processor of the control circuit of the electrical energy processing unit and a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes the computer program.

An electrical energy processing unit of an apparatus to kill a plant or at least attenuate plant growth is disclosed. The electrical energy processing unit includes a converter and a control circuit. Also disclosed are an apparatus that includes the electrical energy processing unit and a method of utilizing the apparatus. Further disclosed are a computer program for a processor of the control circuit of the electrical energy processing unit and a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes the computer program.

Provided herein are plants that reduce growth of a fungal pathogen, increase resistance of the plant to a fungal pathogen, or a combination thereof. The plant includes a polynucleotide that reduces expression of a coding region present in a fungal pathogen, such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum or Botrytis cinerea. The polynucleotide can be present on the surface of the plant, expressed by a plant, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods of making and methods of using the plants.

A watermelon plant that produces fruit having (i) ultra-firm flesh and/or liquid-retaining flesh and (ii) soluble solids of at least about 6 brix.

The present disclosure relates to a composition for promoting plant growth containing an YxaL protein and a method for mass-producing an YxaL protein. The YxaL protein may be expressed constitutively and in large amounts in a recombinant transformed cell line. When the YxaL protein is applied to seed soaking treatment, root development is improved, and the expression of plant genes involved in root growth is improved in favor of plant growth. Thus, the YxaL protein may be effectively used to promote plant growth.

The present invention provides a stevia plant having a low ability to form flower buds as compared with the wild type stevia species. The present invention also provides a method of producing such a stevia plant having a low ability to form flower buds, and an extract or a steviol glycoside purified product obtainable from such a plant.