Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

University of Bologna

Edward Bruggemann

Dwight T Tomes

Bailin Li

Xiaomu Niu

Michele Morgante

Giorgio Sponza

Roberto Tuberosa

Silvio Salvi

Rebecca E Cahoon

Hajime Sakai

Edgar Benjamin Cahoon

Theodore Mitchell Klein

Olga Nikolaevna Danilevskaya

Evgueni Ananiev

David Mark Shirbroun

Pedro Herman

Antoni J Rafalski

Michele University Of Udine Morgante

S Dept Agroenvironmental Sci And Techn Salvi

G Dept Agroenvironmental Sci And Techn Sponza

R Dept Agroenvironmental Sci And Tech Tuberosa

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence-based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.

Methods and compositions for modulating flowering and maturity in plants

This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding floral development proteins, more specifically FT, TFL or Ap3 homologs. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of the floral development proteins, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of the FT, TFL or Ap3 homologs in a transformed host cell.

Floral development genes

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating flowering time in plants. Maize RAP2.7 nucleotide sequences are disclosed which upon overexpression cause later flowering and when inhibited cause earlier flowering. Also disclosed is a DNA sequence which acts as a regulator/enhancer of RAP2.7, termed VGT1. This sequence does not code for any known protein, but acts as either a RNAi element or a regulatory DNA or RNA element that either directly regulates expression of flowering genes such as Rap2.7 or specifically targets expression of other genes which control flowering genes such as Rap2.7. This element this can be used as a sequence&#x2014;based marker to identify inbred and hybrids which have altered maturity. Methods for expressing these nucleotide sequences in a plant for modifying maturity and flowering in plants are provided as well as expression constructs, vectors, transformed cells and plants.

Growing community of inventors

West Des Moines, IA, United States of America

Edward Bruggemann