Nucleotide sequences encoding RAMOSA3 and sister of RAMOSA3 and methods of use for same

#The field of invention relates generally to plant molecular biology, and more specifically, to protein and nucleotide sequences and genetic techniques using the same to modify plant architecture and to increase yield and health of plants.

#Plant architecture is central to yield, for example in orchestrating the green revolution through reducing plant height [Peng, J. et al., Nature, 1999. 400(6741): p. 256-611]. Similarly, inflorescence morphology is a major yield factor in many crops, and is determined by the activities of shoot meristems. Variations in branching patterns lead to diversity in architectures, and have been studied at the genetic, physiological and molecular levels [Sussex, I. M. and Kerk, N. M., Curr Opin Plant Biol, 2001. 4(1): p. 33-7; Ward, S. P. and Leyser, O., Curr Opin Plant Biol, 2004. 7(1): p. 73-8].

#The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is active throughout the plant lifecycle, and produces leaves and axillary meristems, typically initiated in each leaf axil. Patterns of axillary meristem activity—where they are produced, whether they undergo dormancy or growth and how much they grow—contribute to overall shoot architecture. Apical dominance is a major factor in regulating development of axillary meristems, and is regulated by genetic and hormonal factors.

#The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings and Sequence Listing which form a part of this application.

#FIG. 1 shows the mature ear and tassel phenotypes of ra3 mutants.

#FIG. 2 shows the SEM analysis of ra3 mutant ears. Wild type (B73) ears are shown in A-D, and ra3 ears in E-H. During the inflorescence transition stage, there is no difference between B73 (A) and ra3 mutant (E) ears. In 2 mm long ears, some SPM converted to BM* (F, arrow 1). SMs in B73 produce a pair of glumes (C, arrows 2), but in ra3 they produce additional glumes (G, arrows 2), and FMs were made inside the glumes (arrow 3). The SMs in wild type ears make 2 FMs inside the glumes (D, upper FM marked by arrow 3) and each floret has a lemma and palea (D, palea marked by arrow 4). The SMs in ra3 mutants make several FMs (arrows 3, H, palea marked by arrow 4) and later can convert to a BM* that makes glumes (H, arrows 2). Scale bars A, E 100 μm; B, F 500 μm; C, D 100 μm; G, H 200 μm.

#The disclosure of each reference set forth herein is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

#As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a plant” includes a plurality of such plants, reference to “a cell” includes one or more cells and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

#As used herein: