Maize is the highest yielding cereal crop grown worldwide for grain or silage. Here, we show that modulating the expression of the maize PLASTOCHRON1 (ZmPLA1) gene, encoding a cytochrome P450 (CYP78A1), results in increased organ growth, seedling vigour, stover biomass and seed yield. The engineered trait is robust as it improves yield in an inbred as well as in a panel of hybrids, at several locations and over multiple seasons in the field. Transcriptome studies, hormone measurements and the expression of the auxin responsive DR5rev:mRFPer marker suggest that PLA1 may function through an increase in auxin. Detailed analysis of growth over time demonstrates that PLA1 stimulates the duration of leaf elongation by maintaining dividing cells in a proliferative, undifferentiated state for a longer period of time. The prolonged duration of growth also compensates for growth rate reduction caused by abiotic stresses.
- MeSH
- Biomass * MeSH
- Cell Division genetics MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Plants, Genetically Modified MeSH
- Zea mays genetics growth & development metabolism MeSH
- Indoleacetic Acids metabolism MeSH
- Plant Leaves genetics growth & development metabolism MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant MeSH
- Plant Proteins genetics MeSH
- Seeds genetics metabolism MeSH
- Seedlings growth & development metabolism MeSH
- Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
- Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System genetics MeSH
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
