The invention relates to a method for increasing the yield and biomass of a plant, by means of an increase in the expression of the L-aspartate oxidase in the plant. The method according to the invention allows an increase in the photosynthetic capacities of the plants as a result of an increase in the quantities of NAD and the derivatives thereof in said plants. The invention relates to the plants produced by such a method.

The present invention relates to a seed comprising in its genome a modified NXS gene and/or modified regulatory sequences thereof. The modified NXS gene and/or modified regulatory sequences thereof provides the seed with the capability to germinate at a high temperature as compared to a wild type seed not having the modified NXS gene. The modification to the gene and/or its regulatory sequences may lead to the expression of the NXS gene being substantially reduced or prevented. In addition to or alternatively, the seed can have a reduced level, reduced activity or complete absence of NXS protein. The modified NXS gene may for example comprise a premature stop codon and/or encode an NXS protein that comprises one or more amino acid substitutions.

A method of introducing naked dsRNA into a seed is provided. The method comprising contacting the seed with the naked dsRNA under conditions which allow penetration of the dsRNA into the seed, thereby introducing the dsRNA into the seed.

Transgenic seed for crops with enhanced agronomic traits are provided by trait-improving recombinant DNA in the nucleus of cells of the seed where plants grown from such transgenic seed exhibit one or more enhanced traits as compared to a control plant. Of particular interest are transgenic plants that have increased yield. The present invention also provides recombinant DNA molecules for expression of a protein, and recombinant DNA molecules for suppression of a protein.

Disclosed are rice environmental conditional-lethal mutant gene osesl1, an encoding protein and use thereof The gene osesl1 has a nucleotide sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 1 in the Sequence Listing. The encoding protein thereof has an amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID NO: 2. After heading of osesl1 mutant rice, seed embryo lethal phenotype appears at 12 days after pollination, exhibiting darkening at the junction between embryo and endosperm. When an average temperature is below 22 C., a seed embryo is normal; when the average temperature is above 28 C., the seed embryo is lethal; when the temperature is between 22 C. and 28 C., the seed embryo is lethal under long daylight conditions (>13 h) and normal under short daylight conditions (<13 h). Use of the gene osesl1 in controlling seed embryo development of rice is further provided.

The present disclosure provides methods for testing agronomic performance of transgenic traits and genome edits in plants and for accelerated selection of such plants. Methods evaluated include testing constructs for transgenic trait performance (T) using isolines. The methods comprise crossing events into different genetic backgrounds. Methods also comprise combining isoline data with F2:3 bulk data and developing breeding values across different genetic backgrounds for a higher level of confidence in selecting events.

Described herein are methods of modulating seed germination and seed longevity in plants by modifying FLOE1 level or activity; and plants generated by such methods.

Plant transcription factors and genes encoding the transcription factors are disclosed. Methods to enhance characteristics in a plant by downregulating the genes encoding the transcription factors also are disclosed. The enhanced characteristics can include higher photosynthesis rates, reduced photorespiration rates, higher biomass yield or content, higher seed yield, improved harvest index, higher oil content, improved nutritional composition, improved nitrogen use efficiency, drought resistance, flood resistance, disease resistance, faster seed germination and plant emergence, improved seedling vigor, salt tolerance, higher CO.sub.2 assimilation rate, and lower transpiration rate. Modified plants in which the genes encoding the transcription factors are downregulated also are disclosed. Compositions of the invention comprise polynucleotide sequences, polypeptide sequences, variants, orthologs, and fragments thereof. Methods comprise introducing into plants systems that reduce or eliminate the expression of transcription factors. Methods and compositions also provide plants with enhanced seed yield and/or seed oil content.

Provided are applications of protein VdAL in improving the output, product quality and drought resistance of a plant and in improving fruit coloring of the plant. The protein VdAL is selected from one of A1) to A3): A1), protein having an amino acid sequence that is 1; A2) protein that is derived from A), that has same functions and that is obtained by substituting and/or deleting and/or adding one or several amino acid residues for, from or to the sequence 1; and A3) fusion protein obtained by connecting labels to an N end and/or a C end of A1) or A2).

The present invention provides a polynucleotide which enables the modulation of the seed vigour, and in particular enhances the seed vigour, and more particularly enables the modification of the speed of germination. A plant seed comprising the said polynucleotide is also provided. A method of producing the plant seed, method for improving the germination and vigour of plant seed, transgenic plant and the use of the polynucleotide of the invention for producing plants growing seeds with improved germination and vigour characteristics are also provided. The invention particularly concerns Brassica, more particularly Brassica oleracea.