Plants with Improved Drought Tolerance

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

This patent covers genetically engineering plants to improve their ability to withstand drought by increasing the growth and formation of root hairs. Specifically, the invention introduces DNA constructs containing an RTH5 family gene, or enhances native RTH5 gene expression in plants, which increases root hair development. These root hairs boost both water and nutrient uptake, making the plants more resilient to dry conditions. The technology can be used in both monocot (like maize, wheat, rice) and dicot (like soybean, cotton, sunflower) plants.

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

• Development of drought-tolerant commercial crops (maize, soybean, wheat, rice, cotton, etc.)
• Crop cultivation in arid or drought-prone environments to secure yield and food production.
• Improvement of crop nutrient uptake efficiency, possibly reducing fertilizer requirements.
• Reduction of soil erosion in agricultural fields via enhanced root hair development.
• Promotion of beneficial root-microorganism associations, like those with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
• Addressing abiotic environmental stress in crops beyond drought, such as high salinity or nutrient deficiency.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly increases plant drought resistance, enhancing crop survival and yield during water shortages.
• Boosts nutrient uptake efficiency, potentially leading to better growth and reduced need for fertilizers.
• Supports sustainable agriculture practices by enabling crops to thrive with less water and in poor soils.
• Reduces risk of crop loss due to drought, promoting food security for farmers and populations.
• Can be broadly applied to a wide range of monocot and dicot crop species, and is compatible with major world crops.
• May reduce soil erosion through increased root binding.
• Could facilitate better symbiosis with beneficial soil microbes, increasing natural nitrogen fixation and soil health.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for increasing drought tolerance in a plant. The method includes introducing into the plant a recombinant DNA construct that includes a heterologous promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide that encodes a RTH5 family member. The method can be performed in monocots and dicots. Also, disclosed herein are plants and expression cassettes that include recombinant DNA that contains a heterologous promoter operably linked to polynucleotides that encodes an RTH5 family member.