Method for modifying plant morphology, biochemistry and physiology

摘要

The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing seed size and/or weight, embryo size and/or weight, and cotyledon size and/or weight. The methods comprise expression of a cytokinin oxidase or expression of another protein that reduces the level of active cytokinins in plants or plant parts. Methods and compositions for increasing seed yield are also provided. The invention also relates to isolated plant cytokinin oxidase proteins, nucleic acid sequences encoding cytokinin oxidase proteins as well as to vectors, host cells, transgenic cells and plants comprising such sequences.

主权项

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a cytokinin oxidase operably linked to a heterologous seed-specific promoter, wherein the isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a cytokinin oxidase is selected from the group consisting of:
a. a nucleic acid molecule comprising the DNA sequence as given in SEQ ID NO: 48, or the complement thereof, b. a nucleic acid molecule comprising the RNA sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 48, or the complement thereof, c. a nucleic acid molecule specifically hybridizing under high stringent conditions to SEQ ID NO:48, or to the complement thereof, wherein the stringent conditions are hybridization at 4×SSC at 65° C., followed by a washing in 0.1×SSC at 65° C., and d. a nucleic acid molecule as defined in any of (a) to (c) characterized in that said nucleic acid molecule is DNA, genomic DNA, cDNA, synthetic DNA or RNA wherein T is replaced by U.