Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Compositions comprise promoter sequences that direct expression of an operably linked nucleotide in a developmentally regulated manner. Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

Plants are provided with increased ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) regeneration capacity during the Calvin cycle through increased expression of sedoheptulose 1,7 bisphosphatase, in combination with reduced photo-respiratory losses through expression of glycolate catabolizing enzymes. Such plants have a greater growth rate and/or improved biomass and/or increased carbon fixation compared to untreated plants, or plants comprising only one of the features above.

Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Compositions comprise promoter sequences that direct expression of an operably linked nucleotide in a developmentally regulated manner. Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.