Abstract: Described herein are breeding methods useful to increase grain yield. Disclosed is a novel gene, SPIKE, which is shown herein to increase grain yield of modern indica cultivars and can be used to assist development of improved grains. Also described herein are materials and methods for increasing the grain yield of modern indica cultivars.

Abstract: Transgenic plants with novel phenotypes, especially plants with enhanced drought and pathogen resistance. Provided are transgenic crop plants having integrated in their genome a chimeric gene, wherein the chimeric gene includes a transcription regulatory sequence active in plant cells operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a protein at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3 or an ortholog or a functional fragment thereof. In addition to enhanced drought tolerance the transgenic plants may show enhanced disease resistance and enhanced root structure. Also, a method for generating a transgenic plant by insertion of the chimeric gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of transgenic plants with novel phenotypes, especially plants with enhanced drought and pathogen resistance. Provided are transgenic crop plants comprising integrated in their genome a chimeric gene, characterized by said chimeric gene comprising a transcription regulatory sequence active in plant cells operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a protein having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 or a protein at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3, or an ortholog protein or a functional fragment thereof. In addition to enhanced drought tolerance the transgenic plants may show enhanced disease resistance and enhanced root structure.