Abstract: The invention provides genes that activate wax biosynthesis in plants. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. The invention allows the modification of plants for increased wax production, particularly in leaves. The inventors have demonstrated increased drought tolerance in connection with increased leaf wax production engineered in plants.

Abstract: The invention provides plants with delayed flowering and methods of making such plants. Also provided are constructs comprising nucleic acids for making these plants. The invention is significant in that plants with delayed flowering may exhibit increased nutritional value and cold tolerance. Delayed flowering will also find use in plant breeding methods.

Abstract: The invention provides MtHP promoter sequences capable of functioning as a strong plant promoter. Compositions comprising these sequences described, as are transgenic cells transformed with such sequences. Further provided by the invention are methods for the expression of transgenes in plant and other cells comprising the use of these sequences. The sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic cells expressing one or more selected coding regions.