Plant Bioscience Limited

Pioneer Hi-bred International, Inc.

The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government

George M Coupland

Joanna J Putterill

Sarah G Fowler

Robert J Schaffer

The invention provides nucleic acid isolates comprising nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having Gl function, or which are complementary to such sequences. Constructs containing such nucleic acids are useful in transforming plants to control flowering and/or starch accumulation in the transformed plant.

Plant control genes

The EARLY SHORT DAYS 4 gene ESD4 of Arabidopsis thaliana, and homologues from other species, and manipulation and use thereof in plants to influence timing of flowering of the plants.

Arabidopsis ESD4 gene and method to control flowering time

A flowering characteristic of a plant, particularly the timing of flowering, is controlled by the expression of the Late Elongated Hypocotyl (LHY) gene of,or a mutant, variant, allele, derivative, or homologue thereof. Over-expression may be used to delay flowering in a transgenic plant. The promoter of the gene regulates transcription in accordance with the circadian rhythm and may be used to control expression of genes whose products are only required or desired at certain times of the day.

Growing community of inventors

Norwich, United Kingdom

George M Coupland