Methods for modifying flowering time and seed yield in field crops
AssigneeMonsanto Technology LLC
InventorsDaniel J. Ovadya, Kyle Smith, Sheilah Oltmans-Deardorff, Rockny Perez
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Abstract
Methods for manipulating yield and generation time of short day plants grown in a field environment are provided. The methods comprise manipulating external signals such as photoperiod in order to increase the per plant seed yield. Also provided are methods for synchronizing the flowering times of plants in different maturity groups.
Claims20
A method for increasing seed yield in a field-grown plant, the method comprising:
- (a) growing a plant in a field under vegetative growing conditions;
- (b) exposing the juvenile plant to a floral induction treatment such that a flowering response is initiated;
- and
- (c) returning the plant to vegetative growing conditions.
4-13. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method for manipulating flowering time in a plurality of field-grown plants, the method comprising:
- (a) initiating growth of a plurality of plants under vegetative growing conditions;
- (b) exposing the plants to a floral induction treatment to initiate flowering;
- and
- (c) returning the plants to vegetative growing conditions.
19-21. (canceled)
The method of claim 21, wherein the method synchronizes the flowering time of said plants of at least two different genotypes to permit crossing the plants.
23-30. (canceled)
(canceled)
A method for increasing seed yield in a soybean plant, the method comprising:
- (a) exposing a soybean plant in a field to vegetative growing conditions with the use of artificial lighting;
- (b) exposing the plant to a floral induction treatment of 7-28 days in duration to initiate flowering, wherein said floral induction treatment is initiated at a growth stage of from about VE to about V4, and wherein said floral induction treatment comprises about 11 to about 13 hours of darkness per night;
- and
- (c) returning the plant to vegetative growing conditions of 14-60 days in duration, wherein said vegetative growing conditions comprise providing artificial lighting before sunrise to expose the plant to from about 14 to about 18 hours of light per day.
(canceled)
A method of growing a plant comprising:
- (a) initiating growth of at least a first plant in a field;
- (b) determining the natural photoperiod of the field grown plant;
- (c) adjusting the photoperiod to which the field grown plant is exposed with an artificial light source to produce a vegetative growing condition;
- (d) growing a plant in a field under vegetative growing conditions to a juvenile stage;
- (e) exposing the juvenile plant to a floral induction treatment, such that a flowering response is initiated;
- (f) adjusting the photoperiod to which the field grown plant is exposed with an artificial light source to produce a vegetative growing condition;
- and
- (g) growing the plant under vegetative growing conditions.
A method of growing a plant comprising:
- (a) initiating growth of at least a first plant in a field;
- (b) determining the natural photoperiod of the field grown plant;
- (c) growing the plant under natural photoperiodic conditions to provide a floral induction treatment, such that a flowering response is initiated;
- (d) adjusting the photoperiod to which the field grown plant is exposed with an artificial light source to produce a vegetative growth condition;
- and (e) growing the plant under vegetative growing conditions.
A method of growing a plant comprising:
- (a) initiating growth of at least a first plant in a field;
- (b) determining the natural photoperiod of the field grown plant;
- (c) growing the plant under vegetative growing conditions;
- (d) adjusting the photoperiod to which the field grown plant is exposed to provide a floral induction treatment, such that a flowering response is initiated;
- and
- (e) returning the plant to vegetative growing conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.