Multi-ear system to enhance monocot plant yield

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11930752-B2
Application number	US-202016995377-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 17, 2020
Priority date	Jul 16, 2015
Publication date	Mar 19, 2024
Grant date	Mar 19, 2024

Abstract

Provided are methods for increasing the yield of a monocot plant through treatment of the plant with a plant growth regulator. In certain embodiments, maize plants produce multiple ears and an increased number of kernels. In certain embodiments, reduced height of the plant allows for more efficient self-pollination.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of treating a maize plant with a gibberellic acid-inhibitor (GA-inhibitor),
the method comprising administering the GA-inhibitor to the plant by contacting the plant with the GA-inhibitor, wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered at a rate of at least 1.0 mg/plant, prior to the formation of a visible reproductive structure,
wherein the treatment comprises at least one administration of the GA-inhibitor at the V1, V2, V3, V4, or V5 stage and/or from about 5 days post germination to about 20 days post germination to induce tiller formation,
wherein the treatment increases seed yield of the maize plant as compared to an untreated control plant, and
wherein the treatment results in at least about 600 seed from the treated plant.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered by contacting the roots of the plant.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment reduces plant height.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plant is an inbred or a hybrid plant.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment induces co-dominant ears on the main stem.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment compresses the nodes above the primary ear.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is a triazole.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the triazole is selected from the group consisting of paclobutrazol, uniconazole, and flurprimidol.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered at a rate of about 1.0 mg/plant to about 75 mg/plant.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered at a rate of about 1.0 mg/plant to about 8.0 mg/plant.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment results in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 tillers on the treated plant.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the tillers have delayed feminization and increased maleness.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein treatment with the GA-inhibitor increases pollen shed duration.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor treated plant produces at least 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, or more tillers than a control plant which was not contacted with the GA-inhibitor.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising harvesting the seed of the treated maize plant.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising genotyping a harvested seed or a population of harvested seeds.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising using a harvested seed or a population of harvested seeds in a breeding program.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treated plant is grown under controlled conditions.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the treated plant is grown in a green house.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treated plant is grown in an open field.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein a population of commercially planted plants is treated and wherein said treatment increases yield in comparison to a population of untreated control plants.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered at a rate of about 1.0 mg/plant to about 50 mg/plant.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered at a rate of about 1.0 mg/plant to about 32 mg/plant.

24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the GA-inhibitor is administered at a rate of about 1.5 mg/plant to about 5.0 mg/plant.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment increases tassel number.

Assignees

• Monsanto Technology Llc

Inventors

• Ovadya Daniel
• Savidge Beth
• Smith Kyle
• Val Dale

Classifications

• A01H3/04 Primary

  by treatment with chemicals · CPC title

• A01H1/06

  Processes for producing mutations, e.g. treatment with chemicals or with radiation (specific mutations prepared by genetic engineering on plant cell or plant tissues C12N15/00 {; process for producing transgenic plants C12N15/82}) · CPC title

• A01H5/10

  Seeds · CPC title

• A01H6/4684 Primary

  Zea mays [maize] · CPC title

• A01N43/84

  six-membered rings with one nitrogen atom and either one oxygen atom or one sulfur atom in positions 1,4 · CPC title