Forages

Abstract

A transgenic plant cell is provided containing a DNA molecule encoding an enzyme selected from the group consisting of fructosyltransferase, glucosyltransferase B, mutants of glucosyltransferase B, glucosyltransferase C, glucosyltransferase D, mutants of glucosyltransferase D and functional fragments of each enzyme. A transgenic plant regenerated from the plant cell is also provided. A method of improving the ensilability and the nutritional value of plants is also provided comprising introducing into the cells of the plant an expression cassette comprising the above DNA molecule operably linked to a promoter functional in the cells of the plant to yield transformed plant cells, and regenerating a transformed plant from the transformed cells. The transformed plants also provide improved digestibility in ruminants.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transgenic plant cell containing a DNA from  Streptococcus mutans  encoding glucosyltransferase C, glucosyltransferase D, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The transgenic plant cell of  claim 1 , wherein the DNA encodes the glucosyltransferase C enzyme or an enzymatically active fragment thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The plant cell of  claim 2  wherein the enzyme is targeted to a vacuole or amyloplast of the cell.  
     
     
         4 . The plant cell of  claim 2  which is derived from a legume or grass.  
     
     
         5 . The plant cell of  claim 4  wherein the plant cell is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of alfalfa, white clover, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, lespedeza, sainform, sorghum, tall fescue, orchard grass, Italian raygrass, perennial ryegrass, timothy, brome grass, rye, barley, wheat, sorghum, oats, millet, triticale, and rice.  
     
     
         6 . A transgenic plant regenerated from the plant cell of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         7 . Seed of the plant of  claim 6  wherein the plant is not maize, rye, barley, wheat, oats, sugarcane, or millet.  
     
     
         8 . The transgenic plant cell of  claim 1  wherein the DNA encodes the glucosyltransferase D enzyme or an enzymatically active fragment thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The plant cell of  claim 8  wherein the enzyme is targeted to a vacuole or amyloplast of the cell.  
     
     
         10 . The plant cell of  claim 8  which is derived from a legume or grass.  
     
     
         11 . The plant cell of  claim 10  wherein the plant cell is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of alfalfa, white clover, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, lespedeza, sainform, sorghum, tall fescue, orchard grass, Italian raygrass, perennial ryegrass, timothy, brome grass, maize, rye, barley, wheat, sorghum, oats, millet, triticale, and rice.  
     
     
         12 . A transgenic plant regenerated from the plant cell of  claim 8 .  
     
     
         13 . Seed of the plant of  claim 12  wherein the plant is not maize, rye, barley, wheat, oats, sugarcane, or millet.