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 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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 present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a tissue-preferred promoter for the Zea mays gene encoding INVINH1. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a polynucleotide operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the linked polynucleotide.

Abstract: The invention provides for a chimeric construct comprising a regulatory region obtained from a hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) gene in operative association with a heterologous gene of interest. Even though the HPL gene is known to be expressed in response to wounding, unexpectedly, it was observed that the HPL regulatory region or one or more fragments thereof, result in constitutive expression of the gene of interest in a range of tissues and organs in the absence of any wound or stress treatment. This invention also provides for a transgenic organism comprising the chimeric construct defined above, and a method for preparing a transgenic organism using the chimeric construct.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating gene expression in plants are provided. The compositions comprise novel genes and promoters as well as regulatory and binding elements therein. The methods comprise the modulation of gene expression using the compositions of the invention. Compositions and methods are provided to reduce the impact on plants of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. Accordingly, the compositions and methods may also be used to decrease the necessary amounts of conventional stress reduction treatment as well as to increase plant yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for an ESR-preferred promoter for the gene encoding INVINH1. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a polynucleotide operably linked to the ESR-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the linked polynucleotide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing yield in plants, particularly seed plants, are provided. The compositions comprise novel nucleic acid molecules encoding invertase inhibitors, antisense nucleotides corresponding to invertase inhibitors, and variants and fragments thereof. Such compositions find use in methods to modulate invertase activity in plants. The compositions are also useful in methods to modulate kernel development and for protecting plants against the harmful/detrimental effects of stress and adverse environmental conditions. The nucleotide sequences may be provided in constructs for temporal, developmental, and tissue preference. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds are additionally provided.

Abstract: The invention provides for a chimeric construct comprising a regulatory region obtained from a hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) gene in operative association with a heterologous gene of interest. Even though the HPL gene is known to be expressed in response to wounding, unexpectedly, it was observed that the HPL regulatory region or one or more fragments thereof, result in constitutive expression of the gene of interest in a range of tissues and organs in the absence of any wound or stress treatment. This invention also provides for a transgenic organism comprising the chimeric construct defined above, and a method for preparing a transgenic organism using the chimeric construct.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating gene expression in plants are provided. The compositions comprise novel genes and promoters as well as regulatory and binding elements therein. The methods comprise the modulation of gene expression using the compositions of the invention. Compositions and methods are provided to reduce the impact on plants of biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. Accordingly, the compositions and methods may also be used to decrease the necessary amounts of conventional stress reduction treatment as well as to increase plant yield.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increasing yield in plants, particularly seed plants, are provided. The compositions comprise novel nucleic acid molecules encoding invertase inhibitors, antisense nucleotides corresponding to invertase inhibitors, and variants and fragments thereof. Such compositions find use in methods to modulate invertase activity in plants. The compositions are also useful in methods to modulate kernel development and for protecting plants against the harmful/detrimental effects of stress and adverse environmental conditions. The nucleotide sequences may be provided in constructs for temporal, developmental, and tissue preference.