METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR MODULATING FLOWERING AND MATURITY IN PLANTS

摘要

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating
flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed
which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause
earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a
regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any
known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA
element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as
Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control
flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence-
based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity.
Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying
maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression
constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.