Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This application provides and discloses small RNAs and their target genes that are involved in controlling the levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose and methods of modulating expression or activity of these mi RNAs and target genes. This application further provides transgenic plants, plant parts, e.g., seeds, that have altered expression of these mi RNAs and target genes and have increased levels of sucrose, increased sucrose to glucose ratios, increased sucrose to hexose ratios, altered carbohydrate levels, or increased Brix in fruit from transgenic plants. This application also provides methods of producing and growing transgenic plants or seeds that have increased levels of sucrose, increased sucrose to glucose ratios, increased sucrose to hexose ratios, altered carbohydrate levels, or increased Brix in fruit from transgenic plants.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides expressing or modulating microRNAs or targets of same are provided. Also provided are transgenic plants comprising same and uses thereof in improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant.

Abstract: An isolated dsRNA molecule comprising an antisense RNA sequence for regulating a target gene of interest in a plant or a phytopathogen of the plant, wherein the dsRNA sequence is flanked by two complementary sites to an smRNA or smRNAs expressed in the plant and wherein the dsRNA molecule further comprises a helicase binding site positioned so as to allow unwinding of the strands of the isolated dsRNA molecule to single stranded RNA (ssRNA) and recruitment of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase so as to amplify the dsRNA molecule in the plant cell and generate secondary siRNA products of the dsRNA sequence.

Abstract: A method of improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant is provided by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NOs: 687-981, 992-1248, 1281-1310, 1389-1391, and 2806-3081. Also provided is a method of improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plan by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide which downregulates an activity or expression of a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NOs: 311-514, 2007-2436, 1311-1320, 982-991, 1249-1280, 1321-1388. Transgenic plants and constructs are provided as well.

Abstract: A method of improving abiotic stress tolerance of a plant is provided. The method comprising genetically modifying the plant to express miRNA167 in an abiotic stress responsive manner, wherein a level of expression of total miR167 under the abiotic stress conditions is selected not exceeding 10 fold compared to same in the plant when grown under optimal conditions, thereby improving abiotic stress tolerance of the plant.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants with altered oil content. The invention further provides nucleic acid sequences and methods for generating such plants.

Abstract: A method of increasing tolerance of a plant to an abiotic stress or increasing biomass, vigor or yield of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising upregulating within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide of a microRNA or a precursor thereof, wherein the microRNA is selected from the group consisting of miR-156, miR-169, miR-164, miR-159, miR-167, miR-529, miR-168, ppt-miR395, sof-miR408a, ath-miR408, miR-1039, miR-1091, miR-1118, miR-1134 and miR-1129, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to the abiotic stress or increasing the biomass, vigor or yield of the plant.

Abstract: A method of increasing tolerance of a plant to an abiotic stress or increasing biomass, vigor or yield of a plant is disclosed. The method comprising upregulating within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide of a microRNA or a precursor thereof, wherein the microRNA is selected from the group consisting of miR-156, miR-169, miR-164, miR-159, miR-167, miR-529, miR-168, ppt-miR395, sof-miR408a, ath-miR408, miR-1039, miR-1091, miR-1118, miR-1134 and miR-1129, thereby increasing the tolerance of the plant to the abiotic stress or increasing the biomass, vigor or yield of the plant.

Abstract: This application provides and discloses small RNAs and their target genes that are involved in response and resistance to abiotic stresses, and methods of modulating expression or activity of these small RNAs and target genes. This application further provides transgenic plants, plant parts, e.g., seeds, that have altered expression or activity of these small RNAs and target genes and have improved abiotic stress tolerance. This application also provides methods of producing and growing transgenic plants or seeds that have improved abiotic stress tolerance. In specific embodiments, this application discloses small RNAs, small RNA target genes, and uses thereof to improve plant abiotic stress tolerance. In specific embodiments, this application also discloses mi RNA, mi RNA target genes, and uses thereof to improve plant drought tolerance.

Abstract: This application provides and discloses small RNAs and their target genes that are involved in controlling the levels of sucrose, glucose, and fructose and methods of modulating expression or activity of these mi RNAs and target genes. This application further provides transgenic plants, plant parts, e.g., seeds, that have altered expression of these mi RNAs and target genes and have increased levels of sucrose, increased sucrose to glucose ratios, increased sucrose to hexose ratios, altered carbohydrate levels, or increased Brix in fruit from transgenic plants. This application also provides methods of producing and growing transgenic plants or seeds that have increased levels of sucrose, increased sucrose to glucose ratios, increased sucrose to hexose ratios, altered carbohydrate levels, or increased Brix in fruit from transgenic plants.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant is provided by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 1-56, 62, 63, 110, 116, 117, 119-161, 200, 201-255, 1027-1031, 1459-1836. Also provided is a method of improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide which downregulates an activity or expression of a gene encoding an RNAi molecule having a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 57-61, 64-115, 118, 162-200, 260-262, 265-267, 271, 1032-1455, 1810-1827, 1842-2265, 2620-2643, 2742-2792. Also provided are polynucleotides and nucleic acid constructs for the generation of transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants with altered oil content. The invention further provides nucleic acid sequences and methods for generating such plants.

Abstract: A method of improving abiotic stress tolerance of a plant is provided. The method comprising genetically modifying the plant to express miRNA167 in an abiotic stress responsive manner, wherein a level of expression of total miR167 under the abiotic stress conditions is selected not exceeding 10 fold compared to same in the plant when grown under optimal conditions, thereby improving abiotic stress tolerance of the plant.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides expressing or modulating microRNAs or targets of same are provided. Also provided are transgenic plants comprising same and uses thereof in improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant.

Abstract: 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.