Methods for controlling gibberellin levels

Abstract

Methods and materials are disclosed for the inhibition and control of gibberellic acid levels. In particular, nucleic acid sequences of copalyl diphosphate synthase. 3-β hydroxylase, and 2-oxidase and additional nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. Gibberellic acid levels may be inhibited or controlled by preparation of a chimeric expression construct capable of expressing a RNA or protein product which suppresses the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway sequence, diverts substrates from the pathway or degrades pathway substrates or products. The sequence is preferably a copalyl diphosphate synthase sequence, a 3β-hydroxylase sequence, a 2-oxidase sequence, a phytoene synthase sequence, a C20-oxidase sequence, and a 2β,3β-hydroxylase sequence. Administration of a complementing agent, preferably a gibberellin or gibberellin precursor or intermediate restores bioactivity.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Patent Application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 096,111, filed Aug. 10, 1998 and 60 / 137,977, filed Jun. 7, 1999. Both of these priority documents are incorporated by reference in their entirely.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to materials and methods for the control of seed germination and seedling growth and, more specifically, to the regulation of the gene products of the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway and restoration of normal seed germination and seedling growth by treatment with exogenously applied gibberellins or gibberellin precursors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Most agriculturally important crop plants are propagated by seed. The seed is planted and under favorable environmental conditions, the seed germinates and grows into crop plants. However, frequently conditions can occur in which after planting of the seed, the seed fails to germinate or germinates poorly pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach enables precise control of seed germination and seedling growth, improving germination rates and seedling vigor, while maintaining seed quality and reducing the need for chemical treatments.

Problems solved by technology

However, frequently conditions can occur in which after planting of the seed, the seed fails to germinate or germinates poorly producing a thin stand of plants with reduced yield or necessitating the replanting of the crop with new seed at considerable expense to the grower.

Also, seeds may germinate precociously if the environmental conditions at crop maturity are such that the seed prematurely sprout.

This is a problem in some wheat varieties and causes a loss of yield and quality of the harvested grain.

In many developing countries storage facilities are inadequate and seed and food quality may be affected when seed dormancy is broken and the process of seed germination begins in storage.

The failure of seeds to germinate uniformly and at high frequency is an important factor affecting crop yield.

Although these mutants demonstrate the role of GA in seed germination, they do not establish the developmental timing required for expression of GA for normal seed germination and seedling growth.

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