TISSUE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF TARGET GENES IN PLANTS

摘要

Methods of producing plants having tissue-specific expression of one or more target genes are taught, as are methods of producing plants having tissue-specific and environmental or developmentally-regulated expression of one or more target genes. A genetic construct is taught which contains a nitrogen assimilation and/or metabolism gene and a promoter for the gene which is inducible under conditions where it would be beneficial to take up, store or use nitrogen. The promoter can be, for example, induced by the presence of nitrate or other form of nitrogen and will be induced by application of a nitrogenous fertilizer. The stress inducible promoter btg-26 is also taught. Promoter btg-26 is isolated from the Brassica turgor gene - 26 and exhibits osmotic-stress induced and tissue-specific expression of an operatively linked gene. The present invention also provides for methods to produce plants with increased biomass and seed yield.