The present invention provides polynucleotides and related polypeptides of the protein GS. The invention provides genomic sequence for the GS gene. GS is responsible for controlling nitrogen utilization efficiency in plants. Glutamine synthase sequences are provided for improving grain yield and plant growth. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.

This invention relates to compositions and methods for modifying COMPACT PLANT2 (CT2) genes in plants, optionally to modify meristem size. The invention further relates to plants having improved yield traits produced using the methods and compositions of the invention.

The present invention relates to cereal grain comprising an aleurone, an embryo, a starchy endosperm and a reduced level and/or activity of a mitochondrial single-stranded DNA binding (mtSSB) polypeptide, a RECA3 polypeptide or a TWINKLE polypeptide. Grain of the invention, or aleurone therefrom, has improved nutritional properties, and hence is particularly useful for human and animal feed products.

Provided are methods for growing a plant under certain stressed conditions that alter the morphology of the plant. In certain aspects, however, although the plant is altered and may be undesirable for commercial purposed, the plant still produces an adequate number of seeds for breeding purposes. Further, because plants may be smaller in size, they can be grown at higher densities, allowing the production of large populations of plants to be brought under controlled conditions which can exclude pollinating insects and thus increase the genetic purity achievable in a breeding program.

The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods and is also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a new gene involved in sex determination in Cucurbitaceae. The loss of function of the protein encoded by this gene induces a transformation of female flowers to hermaphrodite flowers and fruits with non-altered shape. The present disclosure is thus directed to Cucurbitaceae plant modified so that expression and/or function of the protein encoded by said new gene is abolished; the plant having hermaphrodite flowers instead of female flowers and preferably fruits with a non-altered shape.

Methods and materials for modulating cold tolerance levels in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding cold tolerance-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased cold tolerance levels and plant products produced from plants having increased cold tolerance levels.

The present invention relates to cultivated cucumber plants comprising a yield QTL on chromosome 2 and/or a yield QTL on chromosome 6 of their genome, and to methods for generating such plants, and their use.

Disclosed are a leaf vein absorption method and a functional modification material for plant. The functional modification material has a covering with a functional material and a protector with a polymeric stabilizing material. The functional material is a unitary, a multivariate, or a high-entropy compound, or a semiconducting or an optoelectronic material. The covering covers a surface of a plant organ, wherein the covering comprises a stomata expansion material to enable the functional material to be absorbed into a plant through stomata. The protector covers a surface of the covering. The functional material is capable of maintaining its functional presence on a surface of the plant until the plant organ undergoes natural apoptosis. Through an absorption technology of leaf veins on the surface of the plant, special functions can be achieved without modifying or implanting plant genes.

The present invention relates to rice grain with thickened aleurone. Also provided is a rice plant comprising at least one genetic variation which reduces the activity of at least one ROS1a gene in the plant. Grain of the invention, or aleurone therefrom, has improved nutritional properties, and hence is particularly useful for human and animal feed products.