Plants having increased biomass and methods for making the same

US10577617B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois · US
• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture · US
• BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA · US
• University of Florida Research Foundation, INC. · US

Inventors

• Aleel K. Grennan · Urbana, US
• Donald R. Ort · Champaign, US
• Stephen P. Moose · Urbana, US
• Damla D. Bilgin · San Diego, US
• Thomas E. Clemente · Lincoln, US
• Fredy Altpeter · Gainesville, US
• Stephen P. Long · Urbana, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 13, 2016
• Grant date: Mar 3, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 8, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A40/146
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.