Abstract: Transgenic plants having enhanced yield and having enhanced seed yield are disclosed. The transgenic plants are transformed with a transgenic polynucleotide encoding one or more metabolic enzymes. The metabolic enzymes can be from any biological source. The transgenic polynucleotide(s) comprises a nucleic acid sequences encoding the metabolic enzymes under the control of functional plant promoters, the one or more metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting signals. Optionally the functional plant promoters are seed specific promoters and the metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting peptide heterologous to the metabolic enzymes. Methods of making the transgenic plants and transgenic polynucleotides are disclosed. The magnitude of the increases in seed yield achieved with these transgenic plants are unprecedented.

Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses a plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is provided. The genetically engineered land plant comprises a modified gene for the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is an ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 1 derived from a source land plant. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the genetically engineered land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The modified gene comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A genetically modified plant that exhibits an increase in seed yield relative to a progenitor plant is provided. The genetically modified plant includes: (a) a first biotin attachment domain-containing (badc) gene, occurring in its natural position within the genome and being homozygous for a wild-type allele: (b) a second badc gene, occurring in its natural position within the genome and being homozygous for a mutant allele; (c) one or more homologs of the first badc gene, each occurring in its natural position within the genome and being homozygous for a wild-type allele; and (d) one or more homologs of the second badc gene, each occurring in its natural position within the genome, and at least one being homozygous for a wild-type allele. The mutant allele does not encode a functional BADC protein. The increase in seed yield is at least 4%.

Abstract: A genetically engineered plant that expresses a 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase (EDD) and/or a 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase (EDA) is provided. The plant comprises at least one of a first or second modified gene. The first modified gene comprises a first promoter and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the EDD. The first promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the EDD. The first modified gene is configured so transcription of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the EDD is initiated from the first promoter and results in expression of the EDD. The second modified gene comprises a second promoter and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the EDA. The second promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the EDA. The second modified gene is configured so transcription of the nucleic acid sequence encoding the EDA is initiated from the second promoter and results in expression of the EDA.

Abstract: A genetically modified plant that exhibits an increase in seed yield relative to a progenitor plant is disclosed. The genetically modified plant includes (a) a first homeolog of the SUGAR-DEPENDENT1 (SDP1) gene being homozygous for a wild-type allele; and (b) a second homeolog of the SDP1 gene being homozygous for a mutant allele. The wild-type allele encodes an active SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase and is identical to an allele of the first homeolog from the progenitor plant. The mutant allele does not encode an active SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase and includes one or more additions, deletions, or substitutions of one or more nucleotides relative to an allele of the second homeolog from the progenitor plant. The genetically modified plant expresses about 20% to 80% of SDP1 triacylglycerol lipase activity in seeds relative to the progenitor. The increase in seed yield is at least 10%.

Abstract: A transgenic land plant that expresses a polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase seed specifically, with cytosolic localization is disclosed. The plant includes a nucleic acid encoding the polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase and a seed-specific promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid. The seed-specific promoter drives expression of the polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase in cytosol of cells of seeds of the plant. The polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase includes a catalytic domain. The polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase does not include any sequence positioned to mediate translocation of the catalytic domain across any membrane of the cells, thereby resulting in the polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase being expressed seed specifically, with cytosolic localization.

Abstract: A modified plant is provided. The modified plant includes a polynucleotide including a promoter operably linked to a coding sequence. The coding sequence encodes a transcription factor that has at least 30% sequence identity to one or more of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 204, 10, 19, 1-9, 11-18, 20-26, 28-203, 205, 237, or 242-310. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the coding sequence. Also provided is a method for producing a modified plant having increased seed yield and/or oil content in comparison to a reference plant by transformation. Also provided is a method for producing a modified plant having increased seed yield and/or oil content in comparison to a reference plant by editing.

Abstract: Transgenic plants having enhanced yield and having enhanced seed yield are disclosed. The transgenic plants are transformed with a transgenic polynucleotide encoding one or more metabolic enzymes. The metabolic enzymes can be from any biological source. The transgenic polynucleotide(s) comprises a nucleic acid sequences encoding the metabolic enzymes under the control of functional plant promoters, the one or more metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting signals. Optionally the functional plant promoters are seed specific promoters and the metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting peptide heterologous to the metabolic enzymes. Methods of making the transgenic plants and transgenic polynucleotides are disclosed. The magnitude of the increases in seed yield achieved with these transgenic plants are unprecedented.

Abstract: Transgenic plants having enhanced yield and having enhanced seed yield are disclosed. The transgenic plants are transformed with a transgenic polynucleotide encoding one or more metabolic enzymes. The metabolic enzymes can be from any biological source. The transgenic polynucleotide(s) comprises a nucleic acid sequences encoding the metabolic enzymes under the control of functional plant promoters, the one or more metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting signals. Optionally the functional plant promoters are seed specific promoters and the metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting peptide heterologous to the metabolic enzymes. Methods of making the transgenic plants and transgenic polynucleotides are disclosed. The magnitude of the increases in seed yield achieved with these transgenic plants are simply unprecedented.

Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses a protein that has homology to a plant invertase inhibitor and/or a pectin methylesterase inhibitor and that increases seed yield with increased expression (“an ISY protein”) is disclosed. The plant comprises a modified gene for the ISY protein. The ISY protein comprises one or more of an ISY protein of Camelina sativa comprising SEQ ID NO: 2 or a fragment, Camelina sativa homolog, or ortholog thereof. The modified gene comprises a promoter and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the ISY protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the ISY protein. The modified gene is configured such that transcription of the nucleic acid sequence is initiated from the promoter and results in expression of the ISY protein. A genetically engineered land plant that expresses an RNA that increases seed yield with increased expression also is disclosed.

Abstract: Genetically engineered plants that express a quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase (MQO) are provided. The plant comprises a modified gene for the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The modified gene comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The modified gene is configured such that transcription of the nucleic acid sequence is initiated from the promoter and results in expression of the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The plants can express the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase in mitochondria of cells of the plants. Conversion of malate to oxaloacetate in the mitochondria can be increased, resulting in increased crop performance and/or seed, fruit or tuber yield. Methods and compositions for making the plants also are provided.

Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses a plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is provided. The genetically engineered land plant comprises a modified gene for the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is an ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 1 derived from a source land plant. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the genetically engineered land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The modified gene comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention identifies a number of transcription factors of corn, genes encoding the transcription factors, and methods to enhance characteristics of corn such as higher photosynthesis rates, higher photosynthetic electron transport rates, reduced photorespiration rates, higher biomass yield or content, higher seed yield, improved harvest index, higher oil content, improved nutritional composition, improved nitrogen use efficiency, drought resistance, flood resistance, disease resistance, salt tolerance, higher C02 assimilation rate, and lower transpiration rate in a plant by upregulating the genes encoding the transcription factors. Compositions of the invention comprise polypeptide sequences, polynucleotide sequences, variants, orthologs, and fragments thereof. Methods comprise introducing into corn plants systems that increase the expression or activity of transcription factors of the invention. Methods and compositions also provide corn plants with enhanced performance.

Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses an LCID/E protein is provided. The plant comprises a modified gene for the LCID/E protein. The LCID/E protein comprises (i) LCD of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 4, (ii) LCIE of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 5, or (iii) an algal or plant ortholog of LCID/E. The LCID/E protein is localized to chloroplasts of the plant based on a plastidial targeting signal. The modified gene for the LCID/E protein comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the LCID/E protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the LCID/E protein. The modified gene for the LCID/E protein is configured such that transcription of the nucleic acid sequence is initiated from the promoter and results in expression of the LCID/E protein. Optionally, the plant also expresses a CCP1 mitochondrial transporter protein and/or pyruvate carboxylase.

Abstract: Plant transcription factors and genes encoding the transcription factors are disclosed. Methods to enhance characteristics in a plant by downregulating the genes encoding the transcription factors also are disclosed. The enhanced characteristics can include higher photosynthesis rates, reduced photorespiration rates, higher biomass yield or content, higher seed yield, improved harvest index, higher oil content, improved nutritional composition, improved nitrogen use efficiency, drought resistance, flood resistance, disease resistance, faster seed germination and plant emergence, improved seedling vigor, salt tolerance, higher CO2 assimilation rate, and lower transpiration rate. Modified plants in which the genes encoding the transcription factors are downregulated also are disclosed. Compositions of the invention comprise polynucleotide sequences, polypeptide sequences, variants, orthologs, and fragments thereof.

Abstract: A land plant is disclosed. The land plant has increased expression of a mitochondrial transporter protein such that the flux of metabolites through the mitochondrial membrane is increased and the land plant has higher performance and/or yield as compared to a reference land plant not having the increased expression of the mitochondrial transporter protein. Another land plant also is disclosed. The land plant has increased expression of a plastidial dicarboxylate transporter protein such that the flux of metabolites through the plastidial membrane is increased and the land plant has higher performance and/or yield as compared to a reference land plant not having the increased expression of the plastidial dicarboxylate transporter protein.

Abstract: A transgenic land plant is provided. The transgenic land plant comprises a mitochondrial transporter protein of a eukaryotic algae. The mitochondrial transporter protein of the eukaryotic algae is heterologous with respect to the transgenic land plant. The mitochondrial transporter protein is a sequence or ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonasreinhardtii, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Chlorella sorokiniana, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Chlorella variabilis, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Chondrus crispus, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Gonium pectorale, or a mitochondrial transporter protein of Volvox carteri. The mitochondrial transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the transgenic land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the mitochondrial transporter protein.

Abstract: A transgenic land plant is provided. The transgenic land plant comprises a putative bicarbonate transporter protein of an edible eukaryotic algae. The putative bicarbonate transporter protein of the edible eukaryotic algae is heterologous with respect to the transgenic land plant. The putative bicarbonate transporter protein is an ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 1. The putative bicarbonate transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the transgenic land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the putative bicarbonate transporter protein.

Abstract: Transgenic plants having enhanced yield and having enhanced seed yield are disclosed. The transgenic plants are transformed with a transgenic polynucleotide encoding one or more metabolic enzymes. The metabolic enzymes can be from any biological source. The transgenic polynucleotide(s) comprises a nucleic acid sequences encoding the metabolic enzymes under the control of functional plant promoters, the one or more metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting signals. Optionally the functional plant promoters are seed specific promoters and the metabolic enzymes are targeted to the plastids by the addition of plastid targeting peptide heterologous to the metabolic enzymes. Methods of making the transgenic plants and transgenic polynucleotides are disclosed. The magnitude of the increases in seed yield achieved with these transgenic plants are simply unprecedented.

Abstract: Transgenic plants, plant material, plant cells, and genetic constructs for synthesis of biopolymers, for example polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”) are provided. In one embodiment, the transgenic plants synthesize polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”). In one embodiment the transgenic plant encodes siRNA for one or more of the genes encoding enzymes for producing PHA. In a more preferred embodiment, the siRNA expression is under the control of an inducible regulatory element. In another embodiment, the transgenic plant contains transgenes that encode expression enzymes that will degrade the polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the expression of these enzymes is under the control of a germination specific, inducible, or minimal promoter. In another embodiment, the transgenic plant contains transgenes encoding enzymes that increase carbon flow for polymer synthesis. In a preferred embodiment, these transgenes encode enzymes that increase carbon flow in the Calvin Cycle.