The invention relates to a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a promoter
sequence being an inducible promoter obtainable from apple. The promoter
sequence is preferably activated in response to which agents are specific
to ripening fruit and is most preferably the apple .beta.-galactosidase
(ABG1) promoter. Vectors form a further part of the invention. Also
provided are host plant cells, plus methods of producing transgenic plants
and fruit which incorporate antisense RNA capable of down-regulating genes
involved in ripening or peptides or proteins improving fungal, insect,
bacterial, viral, herbicidal, nematode, or arachnid resistance. Such
transgenic plants and fruit have storage and pest-resistance properties
superior to non-transgenic varieties.
