Method for Increasing Cold or Frost Tolerance in a Plant

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a genetic and molecular method to increase cold or frost tolerance in plants, particularly sugar beet and other crop plants, by deregulating phloem flux (the plant's internal flow of nutrients like sucrose). This is achieved by genetically modifying the activity or expression of specific genes involved in sucrose transport and storage, either by boosting vacuolar sucrose import or reducing export, so more protective sugar stays in the root storage organs during cold periods. This mechanism also prevents or delays bolting (premature flowering), which usually reduces crop yield after winter cold. The patent covers various genetic constructs, methods of plant breeding, and ways to select or engineer plants with this trait.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Development of sugar beet varieties that can be planted in colder climates or as winter crops, extending the growing season.
• Production of other root crops with improved cold and frost tolerance, reducing crop losses due to low temperature exposure.
• Breeding or genetically engineering crops with resistance to premature bolting, leading to higher quality and yields.
• Creating crop plants for environments with increasingly unpredictable or extreme weather conditions due to climate change.
• Production of animal feed or bioenergy crops that maintain high yields and sugar contents despite cold exposure.
• Facilitating earlier sowing and later harvesting for sugar beet and similar crops, optimizing agricultural schedules and rotations.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Increased crop survival and yield under cold or frost conditions, reducing agricultural risk and losses.
• Delayed or inhibited bolting leads to higher root and sugar yields, since the plant does not prematurely switch to reproduction.
• Extends the growing season, allowing planting in spring and/or harvesting in late fall or winter.
• Improved sugar concentration in storage organs enhances the economic value of sugar beet and related crops.
• Enables cultivation of sugar beet and similar crops in new geographic areas or under harsher climates.
• Supports more stable and sustainable food, feed, and industrial sugar supply chains.
• Reduces the need for chemical or environmental interventions to prevent bolting or increase cold tolerance.
• Facilitates genetic screening or breeding for desired traits using molecular markers.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of increasing the cold tolerance of a plant or part thereof and/or preventing or inhibiting bolting of a plant, comprising deregulating phloem flux and plants or parts thereof having deregulated phloem flux. The invention also extends to the use of genes for deregulating phloem flux in a plant or part thereof; and/or increasing cold tolerance of a plant or part thereof; and/or preventing or inhibiting bolting in a plant. The invention also provides methods of selecting and/or producing a plant with deregulated phloem flux and/or increased cold tolerance and/or delayed or inhibited bolting. The invention also extends to constructs, isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides which can be used to deregulate phloem flux, plant cells transformed with such constructs, and to plants or parts thereof having deregulated phloem flux.