METHOD FOR MODIFYING PLANT MORPHOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY

摘要

The present invention relates to methods for stimulating root growth and/or
enhancing the formation of lateral or adventitious roots and/or altering root
geotropism comprising expression of a plant cytokinin oxidase or comprising
expression of another protein that reduces the level of active cytokinins in
plants or plant parts. The invention also relates to novel plant cytokinin
oxidase proteins, nucleic acid sequences encoding cytokinin oxidase proteins
as well as to vectors, host cells, transgenic cells and plants comprising said
sequences. The invention also relates to the use of said sequences for
improving root-related characteristics including increasing yield and/or
enhancing early vigor and/or modifying root/shoot ratio and/or improving
resistance to lodging and/or increasing drought tolerance and/or promoting in
vitro propagation of explants and/or modifying cell fate and/or plant
development and/or plant morphology and/or plant biochemistry and/or plant
physiology. The invention also relates to the use of said sequences in the
above-mentioned methods.The invention also relates to methods for identifying
and obtaining proteins and compounds interacting with cytokinin oxidase
proteins. The invention also relates to the use of said compounds as a plant
growth regulator or herbicide.