Genetic means to increase neutral oil in vegetative tissues of plants by conditional induction of membrane lipid hydrolysis

Abstract

The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for increasing oil content of the vegetative tissues of plants. The compositions comprise polynucleotides encoding phospholipase A1 (PLA1) polypeptides and plants, plant parts, plant cells, and seeds comprising such polynucleotides. The methods for increasing oil content of the vegetative tissues of plants comprise introducing a polynucleotide encoding PLA1 polypeptides into the plant. Expression of these PLA1 polynucleotides result in a large accumulation of triacyl glycerides or neutral lipids in vegetative tissues such as leaves that normally contain very little amount of such oil.

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