Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified woody plants comprising a heterologous nucleic acid construct comprising a promoter sequence operably linked to a coding sequence encoding a gibberellin 20-oxidase gene product, wherein the promoter is preferentially or specifically expressed in meristematic tissue of said plant. The invention further relates to methods for producing such plants and to certain nucleic acid molecules useful as promoters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a genetically modified plant or woody plant with improved growth properties (in terms of biomass and wood quality) as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant or woody plant, said method comprising altering the level of expression of a polypeptide in a plant cell or woody plant cell; a plant or woody plant; or a part thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a genetically modified plant or woody plant with improved growth properties (in terms of biomass and wood quality) as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant or woody plant, said method comprising altering the level of expression of a polypeptide in a plant cell or woody plant cell; a plant or woody plant; or a part thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a genetically modified plant or woody plant with improved growth properties (in terms of biomass and wood quality) as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant or woody plant, said method comprising altering the level of expression of a polypeptide in a plant cell or woody plant cell; a plant or woody plant; or a part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides to a method for enhancing the productivity of a plant by genetically modifying the genome of the plant to over-express at least one autophagy-related (ATG) protein selected from the group consisting of ATG5 and ATG7. The invention further provides a genetically modified plant characterized by over-expression of least one autophagy related (ATG) protein selected from the group consisting of ATG5 and ATG7. Additionally the use of a transgene encoding at least one autophagy related (ATG) protein selected from the group consisting of ATG5 and ATG7 for enhancing the productivity of a plant is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a genetically modified woody plant with improved growth properties (in terms of biomass and/or wood density) as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant or woody plant, said method comprising altering the level of expression of a polypeptide in a woody plant cell; a woody plant; or a part thereof.

Abstract: A sowing unit including water-absorbing material, an enclosure and a seed, wherein the water-absorbing material includes a hygroscopic negatively-charged material capable of binding a positively charged nutrient ion selected from NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine; and optionally a nutrient including a positively charged nutrient ion selected from K+, NH4+, L-arginine, L-lysine and L-histidine. Methods and uses of the sowing unit are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a genetically modified woody plant with improved growth properties (in terms of biomass and/or wood density) as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant or woody plant, said method comprising altering the level of expression of a polypeptide in a woody plant cell; a woody plant; or a part thereof.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Transcription factor polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into nucleic acid constructs, including expression vectors, have been introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. Transgenic plants transformed with many of these constructs have been shown to have increased tolerance to an abiotic stress (in some cases, to more than one abiotic stress), increased growth, and/or increased biomass. The abiotic stress may include, for example, salt, hyperosmotic stress, water deficit, heat, cold, drought, and/or low nutrient conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a fertilizer, comprising an amino acid selected from the group of L-glutamine, L-asparagine and L-arginine as major nitrogen source, optionally together with inorganic nitrogen and/or a suitable preservative, for stimulating root growth, inducing more fine roots, increase the number of root tips and/or for stimulating mycorrhiza development.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a fertilizer, comprising an amino acid selected from the group of L-glutamine, L-asparagine and L-arginine as major nitrogen source, optionally together with inorganic nitrogen and/or a suitable preservative, for stimulating root growth, inducing more fine roots, increase the number of root tips and/or for stimulating mycorrhiza development.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel and extensive analytical platform for selecting genes with a possible commercial phenotype from a large group of candidate genes identified using tools in bioinformatics, data from EST sequencing and DNA array. An aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased growth compared to its wild type. The method comprises altering in the plant the level of a gene product of at least one gene specifically expressed during different phases of wood formation. Further aspects of the invention provide a plant cell or plant progeny of a transgenic plant comprising a recombinant polynucleotide according to the invention. Other aspects pertain a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention and a plant cell or plant progeny comprising the DNA construct.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of poplar PFT genes and their role in the induction of early flowering and repression of short-day induced growth cessation in perennial plant species. This has important applications for forestry, for example in tree breeding programs.

Abstract: A method for the culture of somatic plant embryos comprising contacting said embryos with a culture medium containing a plasmolytic or near plasmolytic concentration of a sugar alcohol or a combination of sugar alcohols; and culturing said embryos in said culture medium for a time period suitable for the desired level of maturation to be achieved. Inositol is a preferable sugar alcohol.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of increasing the growth and/or biomass of plants by partially suppressing the expression of a SHORT-ROOT (SHR) polypeptide, such as AtSHR or PtSHR1. Manipulation of SHORT-ROOT expression may be useful, for example, in accelerating growth and increasing biomass production in transgenic plants.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel and extensive analytical platform for selecting genes with a possible commercial phenotype from a large group of candidate genes identified using tools in bioinformatics, data from EST sequencing and DNA array. An aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased growth compared to its wild type. The method comprises altering in the plant the level of a gene product of at least one gene specifically expressed during different phases of wood formation. Further aspects of the invention provide a plant cell or plant progeny of a transgenic plant comprising a recombinant polynucleotide according to the invention. Other aspects pertain a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention and a plant cell or plant progeny comprising the DNA construct.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a set of genes, which when modified in plants gives altered lignin properties. The invention provides DNA construct such as a vector useful in the method of the invention. Further, the invention relates to a plant cell or plant progeny of the plants and wood produced by the plants according to the invention Lower lignin levels will result in improved saccharification for bio-refining and ethanol production and improved pulp and paper. Increased lignin levels will utilise lignin properties for energy production. The genes and DNA constructs may be used for the identification of plants having altered lignin characteristics as compared to the wild-type. According to the invention genes and DNA constructs may also be used as candidate genes in marker assisted breeding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a fertilizer, comprising an amino acid selected from the group of L-glutamine, L-asparagine and L-arginine as major nitrogen source, optionally together with inorganic nitrogen and/or a suitable preservative, for stimulating root growth, inducing more fine roots, increase the number of root tips and/or for stimulating mycorrhiza development.

Abstract: A method for producing a genetically modified plant with increased tolerance and/or resistance to water deficit and/or salt as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant is provided. Furthermore, a genetically modified annual or perennial crop plant having increased tolerance and/or resistance to water deficit and/or salt as compared to a corresponding non-genetically modified wild type plant is provided, said plants being capable of achieving a higher plant biomass under conditions of water deficit or soil salt salinity.