Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides and their use in methods of increasing the carotenoid content of seeds. In particular the invention provides a polynucleotide comprising: (a) a region which comprises as operably linked components (i) a promoter which provides for seed preferred expression; and (ii) a nucleotide sequence derived from a bacterium which sequence encodes a carotene desaturase; and (iii) a transcription termination region; and (b) a further region which comprises as operably linked components (i) a promoter which provides for seed preferred expression; and (ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a phytoene synthase which sequence is derived from a plant selected from the group consisting of: tomato (Lycopersicon sp.); pepper (Capsicum sp.); maize (Zea sp.) and rice (Orzya sp.) or a bacterium; and (iii) a transcription termination region. The disclosed polynucleotides are particularly suitable for use in production of rice seed which comprise high amounts of coloured carotenoids.

Abstract: A method for increasing the phytonutrient and/or chlorophyll content and/or yield of a crop, said method comprising transforming a plant cell from which viable plants maybe recovered, with a DNA construct comprising a sequence which encodes phytochrome A or a moiety which interacts with the phytochrome A pathway so as to mimic the activity of the hp-1 mutant of tomato, said sequence being under the control of a tissue specific promoter which is specific for a crop tissue of the plant, and thereafter generating viable plants from said cell. Various means of achieving this are described.