Abstract: Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides expressing or modulating microRNAs or targets. Further disclosed are transgenic plants comprising an isolated polynucleotide expressing or modulating microRNAs or target for improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant. The sequences of microRNAs and targets to be modulated are also disclosed.

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: 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: 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: Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides expressing or modulating microRNAs or targets. Further disclosed are transgenic plants comprising an isolated polynucleotide expressing or modulating microRNAs or target for improving nitrogen use efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant. The sequences of microRNAs and targets to be modulated are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of improving abiotic stress tolerance, nitrogen use efficiency, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant are provided. According to an aspect the method comprising expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide having a nucleic acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 103, 101-102, 104-216, 223-227, 264-416, wherein the nucleic acid sequence is capable of regulating abiotic stress tolerance of the plant, thereby improving abiotic stress tolerance, nitrogen use efficiency, biomass, vigor or yield of the plant. Alternatively, the method comprises, 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 at least 90% identical to a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-100, 615-626 and 639, thereby improving abiotic stress tolerance, nitrogen use efficiency, biomass, vigor or yield of a plant.

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: 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: 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.