GRG23 EPSP synthases: compositions and methods of use

A plant having stably incorporated into its genome a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein having herbicide resistance activity, wherein said nucleotide sequence is selected from the group consisting of:

• a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:34;
• and,
• b) a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:35;
• wherein said nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a promoter that drives expression of a coding sequence in a plant cell.

A method for increasing vigor or yield in a plant comprising:

• a) providing a plant or seed thereof comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:34 or a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:35;
• b) contacting said plant with an effective concentration of glyphosate;
• and,
• c) growing said plant under conditions wherein the temperature is higher than ambient environmental temperature for at least two consecutive hours per day for at least four days following contact with said glyphosate, wherein said days following contact is within the growing season of the plant,
• wherein the vigor or yield of said plant is higher than the vigor or yield of a plant expressing a glyphosate tolerance EPSP synthase that does not have a temperature optimum higher than ambient environmental temperature.

A method for conferring resistance to glyphosate in a plant comprising:

• a) providing a plant or seed thereof comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:34 or a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:35;
• b) contacting said plant with an effective concentration of glyphosate;
• and,
• c) growing said plant under conditions wherein the temperature is higher than ambient environmental temperature for at least two consecutive hours per day for at least four days following contact with said glyphosate, wherein said days following contact is within the growing season of the plant.