Corn Plants with Reduced GA Oxidase Expression and MADS-Box Traits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving corn yields and lodging resistance through manipulation of the gibberellin pathway in corn have been unsuccessful due to negative impacts on reproductive development and the occurrence of off-types, limiting the achievement of semi-dwarf, high-yielding varieties.
Innovation Solution
The use of transgenic and genome-edited corn plants with reduced expression of gibberellin 20 and 3 oxidase genes combined with the expression of a MADS-box polypeptide, such as ZMM19, to achieve a semi-dwarf phenotype with improved yield and lodging resistance without reproductive off-types, by targeting these genes in active GA-producing tissues using specific promoters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If GA pathway manipulation is used to achieve semi-dwarf phenotype and improved lodging resistance, then yield and lodging resistance are improved, but reproductive development is negatively impacted and off-types occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using tissue-specific promoters to restrict GA pathway manipulation effects to particular plant tissues. The first promoter drives expression in vegetative tissues (leaves, stems) to achieve semi-dwarf phenotype and lodging resistance, while the second promoter drives expression in reproductive tissues to maintain normal reproductive development. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing beneficial effects in one location without harmful effects in another.
2Length of moving object
If GA pathway manipulation is used to achieve semi-dwarf phenotype, then plant height is reduced and lodging resistance is improved, but reproductive off-types occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by implementing spatially restricted gene expression through two different promoters. The first promoter is active in vegetative tissues to reduce plant height and improve lodging resistance, while the second promoter is active in reproductive tissues to maintain uniform reproductive development. This prevents off-types by ensuring proper GA pathway function in reproductive tissues while achieving the desired semi-dwarf phenotype in vegetative tissues.
3Productivity
If conventional GA pathway manipulation is used, then yield improvement is achieved, but reproductive off-types and yield losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between yield improvement and reproductive stability by using local quality through tissue-specific promoters. The first promoter restricts GA pathway manipulation effects to vegetative tissues for yield improvement through better lodging resistance, while the second promoter maintains normal GA function in reproductive tissues to prevent off-types and ensure reproductive stability. This spatial differentiation allows both benefits to coexist.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides modified, transgenic, or genome edited/mutated corn plants that are semi-dwarf and have one or more improved ear traits relative to a control plant, such as increase in ear diameter, single kernel weight, ear fresh weight, ear area, ear volume, ear length, number of kernels per ear, and yield. The modified, transgenic, or genome edited/mutated corn plants comprise a transgene encoding one or more MADS-box polypeptides and have a reduced expression of one or more GA20 or GA3 oxidase genes. Also provided are methods for producing the modified, transgenic, or genome edited/mutated corn plants.