RHIZOBIAL tRNA-DERIVED SMALL RNAs AND USES THEREOF FOR REGULATING PLANT NODULATION

A construct encoding one or more ribonucleic acid (RNA) fragments that fold into a hairpin structure and are cleaved in planta to result in one or more artificial transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs),

• wherein when the construct is expressed in a leguminous plant or a leguminous plant root, increases root nodule formation when the leguminous plant or leguminous plant root is inoculated with a Bradyrhizobium or Sinorhizobium species or strain as compared to a corresponding leguminous plant or leguminous plant root that does not comprise the at least one small RNA fragment.

A method for increasing nodulation activity in a Glycine max plant, plant root, or plant cell, the method comprising introducing or expressing the construct of claim 1 into the Glycine max plant, plant root, or plant cell;

• and
• inoculating, or having inoculated, the modified Glycine max plant, plant root, or plant cell with at least one Bradyrhizobium or Sinorhizobium species or strain.