Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding DREB2 polypeptides are provided herein, along with plants and cells having increased levels of DREB2 gene expression, increased levels of DREB2 transcription factor activity, or both. Plants with increased levels of at least one DREB2 gene expression that exhibit increased yield, increased abiotic stress tolerance, or any combination of these, are provided. Methods for increasing yield, and abiotic stress tolerance in plants, by modulating DREB2 gene expression or activity, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification of genes useful for conferring tolerance in plants to abiotic stress. Transgenic plants and seeds comprising the stress tolerant genes are also described. Methods to monitor the growth rate of the transgenic plants under stressed or non-stressed conditions are also described.

Abstract: Polynucleotide molecules encoding transcription factors, promoter elements, binding partners and methods of use in increasing drought tolerance, yield, and abiotic stress tolerance are disclosed. ERF transcription factors and Cor410b promoter sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated maize EIN3, EBF1 and EIN5 nucleic acids and encoded proteins which are associated with ethylene signaling in plants. The present invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering ethylene sensitivity in plants. The invention further provides recombinant expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants and antibody compositions.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 RING-H2 polypeptide.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides, polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance are disclosed. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a promoter that is functional in a plant operably linked to a polynucleotide that encodes a PAP, a DTP25 or a DTP46 polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods of utilizing the recombinant DNA construct and compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising the recombinant DNA construct.

Abstract: A truncated stress-responsive transcription factor can be overexpressed without causing unfavorable pleiotropic effects. The truncation may result in deletion of a nuclear localization signal. The truncation may result in deletion of one or more regulatory motifs. The truncated transcription factor may be expressed under the control of a constitutive or tissue-preferred promoter. The transcription factor may be from maize.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for maize target gene suppression and improving an agronomic trait through microRNAs or target gene modulation are disclosed. Polynucleotide constructs useful for gene silencing, or upregulation or modulation as well as cells, plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotides and methods for using microRNAs to silence a target gene are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to increase crop yield utilizing transgenic genes controlling plant growth and yield. The specific genes can be used to increase tissue growth and abiotic stress tolerance. Plants, plant progeny, seeds and tissues created by these methods are also described. Polynucleotides encoding the sequences are provided for expression in a plant of interest. Expression cassettes, plants, plant cells, plant parts and seeds comprising the sequences of the disclosure are further provided. In specific embodiments, the polynucleotide is operably linked to a constitutive promoter.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Polynucleotide molecules encoding transcription factors, promoter elements, binding partners and methods of use in increasing drought tolerance, yield, and abiotic stress tolerance are disclosed. ERF transcription factors and Cor410b promoter sequences are disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification of genes useful for conferring tolerance in plants to abiotic stress. Transgenic plants and seeds comprising the stress tolerant genes are also described. Methods to monitor the growth rate of the transgenic plants under stressed or non-stressed conditions are also described.

Abstract: A truncated stress-responsive transcription factor can be overexpressed without causing unfavorable pleiotropic effects. The truncation may result in deletion of a nuclear localization signal. The truncation may result in deletion of one or more regulatory motifs. The truncated transcription factor may be expressed under the control of a constitutive or tissue-preferred promoter. The transcription factor may be from maize.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, 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 ferrochelatase.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating plant response, development and yield under varying environmental conditions are provided. Methods employing MAPKKK are provided. The MAPKKK sequences are used in a variety of methods including modulating root development, modulating leaf and/or shoot development, modulating tolerance under abiotic stress and modulating yield. Transformed plants, plant cell, tissues, seed and expression vectors are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides that encode cytokinin-sensing histidine kinase polypeptides, and the encoded polypeptides, are described. Expression cassettes comprising the polynucleotides of the invention and plants and plant cells that are transformed with the polynucleotides are described. Methods of using the cytokinin-sensing histidine kinase polypeptides and polynucleotides to modulate histidine kinase activity and/or histidine kinase levels in plants and plant cells are further described.