Methods and compositions for weed control

A composition comprising a non-transcribable polynucleotide and a transfer agent, wherein said non-transcribable polynucleotide is from 18 to about 700 nucleotides in length and is at least 85% identical or at least 85% complementary to a GS gene sequence, or to an RNA transcript of said GS gene sequence, wherein said GS gene sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-59 and a polynucleotide fragment thereof, wherein said transfer agent conditions the surface of a plant for permeation by said non-transcribable polynucleotide, and whereby said plant treated with said composition has its growth, development, or reproductive ability suppressed or delayed or said plant is more sensitive to a GS inhibitor herbicide as a result of said non-transcribable polynucleotide containing composition relative to a plant not treated with said composition.

A method of reducing expression of a GS gene in a plant comprising:

• external application to said plant of a composition comprising a non-transcribable polynucleotide and a transfer agent, wherein said non-transcribable polynucleotide is from 18 to about 700 nucleotides in length and is at least 85% identical or at least 85% complementary to a GS gene sequence or to an RNA transcript of said GS gene sequence wherein said GS gene sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-59 and a polynucleotide fragment thereof, wherein said transfer agent conditions the surface of said plant for permeation by said non-transcribable polynucleotide, and whereby said expression of said GS gene is reduced relative to a plant in which the composition was not applied.

A method of identifying non-transcribable polynucleotides useful in modulating GS gene expression when externally treating a plant comprising:

• a) providing a plurality of non-transcribable polynucleotides that are from 18 to about 700 nucleotides in length and are at least 85 percent identical or at least 85 percent complementary to a GS gene sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-59;
• b) externally treating said plant with one or more of said non-transcribable polynucleotides and a transfer agent;
• and c) analyzing said plant or extract for modulation of GS gene expression, wherein said transfer agent conditions the surface of said plant for permeation by said one or more of said non-transcribable polynucleotides, and whereby said plant treated with said one or more of said non-transcribable polynucleotides and said transfer agent has its growth, development, or reproductive ability suppressed or delayed or said plant is more sensitive to a GS inhibitor herbicide as a result of said one or more of said non-transcribable polynucleotides and said transfer agent relative to a plant not treated with said one or more of said non-transcribable polynucleotides and said transfer agent.

An agricultural chemical composition comprising an admixture of a non-transcribable polynucleotide, a GS inhibitor herbicide, and a co-herbicide, wherein said non-transcribable polynucleotide is from 18 to about 700 nucleotides in length and is at least 85% identical or at least 85% complementary to a portion of a GS gene sequence, or to a portion of an RNA transcript of said GS gene sequence, wherein said GS gene sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-59 and a polynucleotide fragment thereof, and whereby a plant treated with said composition has its growth, development, or reproductive ability suppressed or delayed or said plant is more sensitive to said GS inhibitor herbicide as a result of said non-transcribable polynucleotide containing composition relative to a plant not treated with said composition.

An agricultural chemical composition comprising an admixture of a non-transcribable polynucleotide, a GS inhibitor herbicide, and a pesticide, wherein said non-transcribable polynucleotide is from 18 to about 700 nucleotides in length and is at least 85% identical or at least 85% complementary to a portion of a GS gene sequence, or to a portion of an RNA transcript of said GS gene sequence, wherein said GS gene sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 1-59 and a polynucleotide fragment thereof, and whereby a plant treated with said composition has its growth, development, or reproductive ability suppressed or delayed or said plant is more sensitive to said GS inhibitor herbicide as a result of said non-transcribable polynucleotide containing composition relative to a plant not treated with said composition.

A composition comprising a non-transcribable polynucleotide and a transfer agent, wherein said non-transcribable polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 2046-2056 and a complement or polynucleotide fragment thereof, wherein said transfer agent conditions the surface of a plant for permeation by said non-transcribable polynucleotide, and whereby said plant treated with said composition has its growth, development, or reproductive ability suppressed or delayed or said plant is more sensitive to a GS inhibitor herbicide as a result of said non-transcribable polynucleotide containing composition relative to a plant not treated with said composition.