Improved Method for Producing Seed and Accelerated Early Flowering by Combination of Different Genes in Commercially Important Plants

Background: The pattern of genes expressed in a plant is an important determinant of the time of flowering. The length of time required for a crop to flower limits the geographic location where it can be grown and can be an important determinant of yield. Also, the time of flowering is affected by factors responsible for the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, genetic controls that prevent young plants from flowering prematurely, and external signals, such as length of daylight and temperature. Plant breeding is a slow process since plants must be reproductively mature before selective breeding can proceed. For some perennial trees, selective breeding for insect- or disease-resistance or to produce improved wood or fruit is impractical, as it requires decades for several rounds of backcrossing of progeny with their parents. The present invention promotes early reproductive development and can be used to accelerate flowering.

Technology Description: Scientists at UC San Diego have isolated genes that cause plants to flower significantly faster with more fruiting bodies and more flowers per stem. These genes are independent of environmental factors normally coupled to flowering and can turn stem-producing, shoot-producing, and other non-flowering tissue into normal, healthy blossoms earlier than previous genetic or horticultural techniques.

Advantages: Acceleration of plant breeding time. Fertile seed is produced almost immediately after sprouting by shortening growth periods, thereby broadening the geographic range of crop plants, fruit trees, ornamental plants, and trees. Early reproductive development can make breeding of long generation seed plants practical for the first time (e.g. trees—years to weeks). Control of flowering and converting non-flowering tissues into flowering tissues will improve yield, which could help to feed the world’s growing population.

Related Materials:

  1. Pelaz S, Tapia-López R, Alvarez-Buylla ER, Yanofsky MF. Conversion of leaves into petals in Arabidopsis. Curr Biol. 2001 Feb 6;11(3):182-4.
  2. Michaels SD, Ditta G, Gustafson-Brown C, Pelaz S, Yanofsky M, Amasino RM. AGL24 acts as a promoter of flowering in Arabidopsis and is positively regulated by vernalization. Plant J. 2003 Mar;33(5):867-74.
  3. Ditta G, Pinyopich A, Robles P, Pelaz S, Yanofsky MF. The SEP4 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana functions in floral organ and meristem identity. Curr Biol. 2004 Nov 9;14(21):1935-40.

State of Development: See U.S. patent numbers 6,828,478 and U.S. 7,273,968.

Case Number: SD1998-069

Inquiries To: invent@ucsd.edu