Method of improving crop yields

Abstract

The invention provides a method of improving the yield of a crop. The method comprises growing transgenic plants to produce a crop, the transgenic plants being able to metabolize at least one synthetic auxin. A synthetic auxin is applied to the plants at least once during their growth, the synthetic auxin being one that can be metabolized by the transgenic plants. Finally, the crop is harvested.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of improving the yield of a crop comprising: 
 growing transgenic plants to produce a crop, the transgenic plants being able to metabolize at least one synthetic auxin;    applying a synthetic auxin to the plants at least once during their growth, the synthetic auxin being one that can be metabolized by the transgenic plants; and    harvesting the crop.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plants are annuals.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plants are dicotyledonous plants.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plants are tomato plants.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plants are tobacco plants.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plants are cotton plants.  
     
     
         7 . The method of any one of claims  1 - 6  wherein the plants are able to metabolize at least one phenoxy auxin.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the plants are able to metabolize a phenoxy auxin selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy butyric acid, and esters of either of them.  
     
     
         9 . The method of any one of claims  1 - 6  wherein the auxin applied to the plants is a phenoxy auxin.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the auxin applied to the plants is a phenoxy auxin selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy butyric acid, and esters of either of them.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the auxin applied to the plants is a phenoxy auxin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the auxin applied to the plants is a phenoxy auxin selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy butyric acid, and esters of either of them.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the auxin applied to the plants is a phenoxy auxin selected from the group consisting of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy butyric acid, and esters of either of them.