Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transgenic plants and plant cells having increased photosynthetic rate, increased biomass production, and/or improved cold tolerance compared to control plants (such as non-transgenic plants of the same species as the transgenic plants). In some examples, the transgenic plants/plant cells contain a plant transformation vector including a nucleic acid encoding a pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) polypeptide. Also disclosed herein are methods for making the transgenic plants, for instance by introducing into progenitor cells of the plant a plant transformation vector including a nucleic acid that encodes a PPDK polypeptide, and growing the transformed progenitor cells to produce a transgenic plant, in which the PPDK nucleic acid is expressed. Further disclosed herein are PPDK-encoding nucleic acids, PPDK polypeptides, and plant transformation vectors of use in producing the transgenic plants or plant cells.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for modulating lignin biosynthesis in sugarcane plants. In one embodiment, lignin biosynthesis is down-regulated. Genes and the proteins encoded thereby that can be targeted for achieving down-regulation of lignin in sugarcane include, for example, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). In one embodiment, the 4CL gene is 4CL-M, 4CL-N, or 4CL-L. The subject invention also concerns a sugarcane plant, specific plant tissue, and plant cells having modulated (e.g., down-regulated) lignin biosynthesis. The subject invention also concerns methods for producing a sugarcane plant having modulated (e.g., decreased or down-regulated) biosynthesis of lignin.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for modulating lignin biosynthesis in sugarcane plants. In one embodiment, lignin biosynthesis is down-regulated. Genes and the proteins encoded thereby that can be targeted for achieving down-regulation of lignin in sugarcane include, for example, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). In one embodiment, the 4CL gene is 4CL-M, 4CL-N, or 4CL-L. The subject invention also concerns a sugarcane plant, specific plant tissue, and plant cells having modulated (e.g., down-regulated) lignin biosynthesis. The subject invention also concerns methods for producing a sugarcane plant having modulated (e.g., decreased or down-regulated) biosynthesis of lignin.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for producing plant cells or plants with altered tolerance to at least one environmental stress selected from drought, cold, freezing, heat and salinity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for producing plant cells or plants with altered tolerance to at least one environmental stress selected from drought, cold, freezing, heat and salinity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for producing plant cells or plants with altered tolerance to at least one environmental stress selected from drought, cold, freezing, heat and salinity.