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.

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.

Novel activators of the APC complex and methods and uses of these activators are provided. In particular, the activators are used for increasing resistance to stress and/or increasing lifespan in a plant or mammalian cell, in a plant or mammalian embryo or in a plant or subject. The activators are also used for treating cancer in a subject.

The present invention relates to the identification of monocot FLC sequences, such as wheat FLC sequences, as well as their uses in modulating flowering time, seed development and seed germination.

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 producing transformed cell or plant body of maize includes overexpressing, in a cell or plant body of maize, 1) a nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, the polypeptide having a function of promoting cell division of maize, or 2) a nucleic acid encoding an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, or a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15, the polypeptide having a function of promoting cell division of maize, the overexpressing being controlled by a promoter including a 35S promoter of Cauliflower mosaic virus.

The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying transgenic seed that contain a transgene of interest, but lack a marker gene. Use of an identification sequence that results in a detectable phenotype increases the efficiency of screening for seed and plants in which transgene sequences not linked to a gene of interest have segregated from the sequence encoding a gene of interest.

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.

The present invention provides means for inhibiting the bolting and flowering of a Beta vulgaris plant, including an isolated nucleic acid, which can be used to produce a transgenic Beta vulgaris plant, where bolting and flowering is inhibited after vernalization. Furthermore, the invention discloses vectors, transgenic and non-transgenic, non-bolting plants and parts thereof, and methods for producing such plants.