The invention provides promoter sequences that regulate specific expression of operably linked sequences in developing xylem cells and/or in developing xylem tissue. The developing xylem-specific sequences are exemplified by the DX5, DX8, DX11, and DX15 promoters, portions thereof, and homologs thereof. The invention further provides expression vectors, cells, tissues and plants that contain the invention's sequences. The compositions of the invention and methods of using them are useful in, for example, improving the quantity (biomass) and/or the quality (wood density, lignin content, sugar content etc.) of expressed biomass feedstock products that may be used for bioenergy, biorefinary, and generating wood products such as pulp, paper, and solid wood.

Isolated polynucleotides are provided. Each of the isolated polynucleotides comprise a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 121, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 95 or 96, wherein the polypeptide is capable of regulating cotton fiber development. Also provided are methods of using such polynucleotides for improving fiber quality and/or yield of a fiber producing plant, as well as methods of using such polynucleotides for producing plants having increased biomass/vigor/yield.

The disclosure is based on the discovery of genes which influence lignin biosynthesis. In particular, the inventors have observed that if the expression, function and/or activity of these gene(s) (or any protein products thereof) is/are modulated, the lignin content of plants can be altered. As such, this disclosure provides plants, which exhibit modulated expression of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s) and which may find application in methods for producing biofuels.

The present invention relates to plants, such as maize, Sorghum or sugar cane, having improved digestibility, in particular improved stover digestibility. The present invention relates to a QTL allele associated with improved digestibility and specific marker alleles associated with the QTL allele. The present invention further relates to such plants, wherein the F35H gene is mutated or wherein F35H expression is altered. The invention also relates to methods for identifying plants having improved digestibility and methods for obtaining such plants.

The invention relates to methods for producing a plant with altered lignin content by genetically manipulating expression of a PIRIN gene. The said method comprises (a) altering expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN2 polypeptide in the plant; and/or (b) altering expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN4 polypeptide in the plant. A plant with reduced lignin content is produced by increasing expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN2 polypeptide in the plant or decreasing expression of a gene encoding a PIRIN4 polypeptide in the plant. The invention further relates to genetically modified plants produced by the said methods.

The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase and the feruloyl-CoA:monolignol transferase enzyme that enables incorporation of monolignol ferulates, for example, including p-coumaryl ferulate, coniferyl ferulate, and sinapyl ferulate, into the lignin of plants.

The invention provides a method to select an alfalfa plant with enhanced feed value and increased flexibility in management either to increase quality of forage provided or to enhance biomass available earlier.

Materials and Methods for identifying lignin regulatory region-regulatory protein associations are disclosed. Materials and methods for modulating lignin accumulation are also disclosed. In addition, methods and materials for modulating (e.g., increasing or decreasing) the level of a component (e.g., protein, oil, lignin, carbon, a carotenoid, or a triterpenoid) in plants are disclosed.

Disclosed is a use of the BXL gene or a protein encoded thereby. Specifically, when the expression of the BXL gene or a protein encoded thereby is inhibited, traits of plants can be significantly improved, comprising: (i) enhancing the stress resistance of plants; and/or (ii) the resistance to pathogens; and/or (iii) reducing lignin content and increasing fiber and pectin content. In addition, inhibitors of the BXL gene or a protein encoded thereby can also be used in feed compositions, and are used for improving feed palatability.

The present invention relates to a coding gene of the SOSEKI protein SOK2 and an application thereof, wherein through molecular regulation of the SOSEKI protein SOK2, the flowering time of Panicum virgatum is delayed, biomass is increased, lignin content in the cell wall of Panicum virgatum is reduced and the fermentable sugar yield is boosted.