Abstract: The present invention relates generally to genetic sequences and their complementary forms capable of facilitating the modification of a phenotype of a plant. More particularly, the present invention relates to polynucleotide sequences defining B-type genes, to the proteins encoded thereby, to methods for isolating such polynucleotides and to nucleic acid constructs for the expression thereof. The present invention further provides cells, particularly transformed bacterial or plant cells and to differentiated tissue including whole plants and their progeny comprising cells which contain these nucleic acid constructs or parts of the constructs. Plants and parts of plants, such as flowering and reproductive parts including seeds, also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides encoding a ?-ketoacyl ACP synthase II from a plant, or a variant, derivative, homolog or analog of said ?-ketoacyl ACP synthase II. The invention also relates to an isolated ?-ketoacyl ACP synthase II enzyme from a plant. The polynucleotide sequences of the present invention may be used inter alia for the generation of cells or plants comprising such cells which have a modified phenotype and/or which exhibit a desired characteristic.