Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving plant yield, particularly under nitrogen limiting conditions. According to the invention, applicants have discovered that modulating ACC synthase activity in plants improves yield of plants, even when grown under low nitrogen conditions. The same plants, while demonstrating improved yield over non-modified plants, exhibited no deleterious effects under normal nitrogen conditions. The invention further provides methods using recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated ethylene over-producer 1 (ETO1) nucleic acid molecules which are associated with ethylene production in plants and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering ethylene production and abiotic stress response in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants and antibody compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated ethylene over-producer 1 (ETO1) nucleic acid molecules which are associated with ethylene production in plants and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering ethylene production and abiotic stress response in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants and antibody compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving plant yield, particularly under nitrogen limiting conditions. According to the invention, applicants have discovered that modulating ACC synthase activity in plants improves yield of plants, even when grown under low nitrogen conditions. The same plants, while demonstrating improved yield over non-modified plants, exhibited no deleterious effects under normal nitrogen conditions. The invention further provides methods using recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating plant development are provided. Polynucleotide sequences encoding ZmSNAC polypeptides are provided, as are the amino acid sequences of the encoded polypeptides. The sequences can be used in a variety of methods including modulating root development, modulating floral development, modulating leaf and/or shoot development, modulating senescence, modulating seed size and/or weight, and modulating tolerance of plants to abiotic stress. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided. A stress-inducible ZmSNAC1 promoter is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating flower organ development, leaf formation, phototropism, apical dominance, fruit development, initiation of roots and for increasing yield in a plant are provided. The compositions include an AP2 transcription factor sequence. Compositions of the invention comprise amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences selected from SEQ ID NOS: 1-11 as well as variants and fragments thereof. Nucleotide sequences encoding the AP2 transcription factors are provided in DNA constructs for expression in a plant of interest are provided for modulating the level of an AP2 transcription factor sequence in a plant or a plant part are provided. The methods comprise introducing into a plant or plant part a heterologous polynucleotide comprising an AP2 transcription factor sequence of the invention. The level of the AP2 transcription factor polypeptide can be increased or decreased.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated ethylene over-producer 1 (ETO1) nucleic acid molecules which are associated with ethylene production in plants and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering ethylene production and abiotic stress response in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants and antibody compositions.

Abstract: Methods for modulating plants using optimized ACC synthase down-regulation constructs are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleotide sequences, constructs, vectors, and modified plant cells, as well as transgenic plants displaying increased seed and/or biomass yield, improved tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought or high plant density, improved nitrogen utilization efficiency and/or reduction in ethylene production.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating flower organ development, leaf formation, phototropism, apical dominance, fruit development, initiation of roots and for increasing yield in a plant are provided. The compositions include an AP2 transcription factor sequence. Compositions of the invention comprise amino acid sequences and nucleotide sequences selected from SEQ ID NOS: 1-11 as well as variants and fragments thereof. Nucleotide sequences encoding the AP2 transcription factors are provided in DNA constructs for expression in a plant of interest are provided for modulating the level of an AP2 transcription factor sequence in a plant or a plant part are provided. The methods comprise introducing into a plant or plant part a heterologous polynucleotide comprising an AP2 transcription factor sequence of the invention. The level of the AP2 transcription factor polypeptide can be increased or decreased.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating expression of knotted1 (kn1) polypeptides in seed and reproductive tissue are provided. Polynucleotide sequences encoding knotted1 transcription factor polypeptides are expressed in a spatially and/or temporally regulated manner with expression preferentially in developing flowers, pods, ears and/or seeds, or to other reproductive structures during flowering and seed development, to create a sequestered effect resulting in plants that produce increased yield and may have greater flower, pod, ear and/or seed retention. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues and seed are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating abscisic acid (ABA) perception and signal transduction in developing seed are provided. The methods and compositions find use in increasing yield in plants, particularly under abiotic stress. Compositions comprise genetic constructs known to affect ABA sensitivity, particularly ABA biosynthetic mutants and fragments and variants thereof.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for improving agronomic traits, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a GSH1 polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods for modulating plants using optimized ACC synthase down-regulation constructs are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleotide sequences, constructs, vectors, and modified plant cells, as well as transgenic plants displaying increased seed and/or biomass yield, improved tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought or high plant density, improved nitrogen utilization efficiency and/or reduction in ethylene production.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating expression of knotted1 (kn1) polypeptides in seed and reproductive tissue are provided. Polynucleotide sequences encoding knotted1 transcription factor polypeptides are expressed in a spatially and/or temporally regulated manner with expression preferentially in developing flowers, pods, ears and/or seeds, or to other reproductive structures during flowering and seed development, to create a sequestered effect resulting in plants that produce increased yield and may have greater flower, pod, ear and/or seed retention. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues and seed are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for suppressing the shade-avoidance response of plants and improving plant yield are provided. Compositions of the invention include an early flowering 3 (ELF3) maize gene, the promoter for this gene, an Arabidopsis basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor (bHLH-041), and fragments and variants thereof. The ELF3 promoter sequence is useful for driving expression of polynucleotides of interest in a plant. The ELF3 and bHLH-041 sequences of the invention, or variants and fragments thereof, are provided in expression cassettes for use in manipulating expression of the ELF3 and bHLH-041 genes. By increasing expression of ELF3 and/or suppressing expression of bHLH-041, the methods of the invention provide for altered response of a plant to light quality and suppression of the high-density-invoked survival mode of development. The invention thus provides methods for growing crop plants at high population densities for yield enhancement.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant are provided. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a maize actin depolymerization factor 4 promoter. Also provided is a method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using a promoter sequence disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated ethylene over-producer 1 (ETO1) nucleic acid molecules which are associated with ethylene production in plants and their encoded proteins. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering ethylene production and abiotic stress response in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for suppressing the shade-avoidance response of plants and improving plant yield are provided. Compositions of the invention include an early flowering 3 (ELF3) maize gene, the promoter for this gene, an Arabidopsis basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor (bHLH-041), and fragments and variants thereof. The ELF3 promoter sequence is useful for driving expression of polynucleotides of interest in a plant. The ELF3 and bHLH-041 sequences of the invention, or variants and fragments thereof, are provided in expression cassettes for use in manipulating expression of the ELF3 and bHLH-041 genes. By increasing expression of ELF3 and/or suppressing expression of bHLH-041, the methods of the invention provide for altered response of a plant to light quality and suppression of the high-density-invoked survival mode of development. The invention thus provides methods for growing crop plants at high population densities for yield enhancement.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving plant yield, particularly under nitrogen limiting conditions. According to the invention, applicants have discovered that modulating ACC synthase activity in plants improves yield of plants, even when grown under low nitrogen conditions. The same plants, while demonstrating improved yield over non-modified plants, exhibited no deleterious effects under normal nitrogen conditions. The invention further provides methods using recombinant expression cassettes, host cells and transgenic plants.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating plant development are provided. Polynucleotide sequences encoding ZmSNAC polypeptides are provided, as are the amino acid sequences of the encoded polypeptides. The sequences can be used in a variety of methods including modulating root development, modulating floral development, modulating leaf and/or shoot development, modulating senescence, modulating seed size and/or weight, and modulating tolerance of plants to abiotic stress. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided. A stress-inducible ZmSNAC1 promoter is also provided.