Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (1) like (CAD1L) polypeptides. CAD1L polypeptides are produced in a plant in the same organs and the same developmental stages and processes of CAD1 and are likely to be involved in the same developmental processes as CAD enzymes. CAD1L-like sequences are also disclosed. They can be used for modification of, for example, lignification, cellulose, degradation, plant cell walls or plant defence response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids and nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of flavonoid biosynthesis in plants. More particularly, the flavonoid biosynthetic enzyme is selected from the group consisting of chalcone isomerase (CHI), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone reductase (CHR), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LCR), flavonoid 3?, 5? hydrolase (F3?5?H), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), flavonoid 3?-hydroxylase (F3?H), phenylalanine ammonia-olyase (PAL) and vestitone reductase (VR), and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.