Selective plant growth using d-amino acids

US7105349B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Plant Sciences, Inc. · US
• SweTREE Technologies AB · SE

Inventors

• Torgny NÄSHOLM · Holmsund, SE
• Oskar Erikson · Umeå, SE
• Magnus Hertzberg · Umeå, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 13, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 12, 2006
• Expiry date: Jan 13, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N15/8274
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention relates to plants and plant cells which express heterologous D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes and may therefore employ D-amino acids as a source of nitrogen. Methods and means are provided for selectively modulating the growth and stress tolerance of such plants using D-amino acids. The methods can be used either for detoxification of phytotoxic D-amino acids such as D-alanine and D-serine, thereby allowing for selection of plants comprising said D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes, or for enhancing toxicity of lesser phytotoxic D-amino acids such as D-isoleucine, thereby allowing for selection of plants not comprising said D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes.