METHODS OF INCREASING RESISTANCE OF CROP PLANTS TO HEAT STRESS AND SELECTING CROP PLANTS WITH INCREASED RESISTANCE TO HEAT STRESS

摘要

Methods of increasing the resistance of a crop plant to heat stress and in particular methods of improving the grain yield and quality of crop plants grown under heat stress in the form of increased minimal temperatures are provided. The methods include selecting plants with increased expression of HYR and growing these plants in regions expected to experience minimal temperatures above 25° C. during the growing season. Methods of screening plants for increased resistance to heat stress and methods of producing grain in regions having minimal temperatures of 25° C. or more are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of increasing the resistance of a crop plant to heat stress to improve the grain quality or the grain yield of a crop plant comprising selecting crop plants for increased expression of the HYR protein of SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 4, an ortholog thereof, or a sequence with at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3, or 4 as compared to the expression of HYR protein in Nipponbare, and growing the crop plants in an area at risk of having average minimal temperatures above 25° C., wherein increased expression of HYR protein correlates with resistance to heat stress and improved grain quality or increased grain yield of a crop plant.