Plant Responses

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and uses for improving traits in plants which are important in the field of agriculture. In particular, the methods and uses of the invention use a plant Hsf to increase plant productivity, water use efficiency, drought or pathogen resistance.

1 . A method for improving water use efficiency and/or water productivity in a plant, the method comprising introducing and overexpressing a polynucleotide sequence comprising or consisting of a plant heat shock factor (Hsf) into the plant. 
     
     
         2 . A method for improving plant productivity, the method comprising introducing and overexpressing a polynucleotide sequence comprising or consisting of a plant Hsf into the plant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method increases water use efficiency and/or water productivity under normal non-drought conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the method improves water productivity under normal non-drought conditions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method improves plant productivity under water deficit conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method improves plant productivity under water deficit conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further confers plant drought tolerance. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the method further confers pathogen resistance. 
     
     
         9 . A method for conferring pathogen resistance in a plant, the method comprising introducing and overexpressing a polynucleotide sequence comprising or consisting of a plant Hsf into the plant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant is a cereal plant. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant is selected from maize, wheat, rice, oilseed rape, sorghum, soybean, cotton, potato, tomato or poplar. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plant Hsf is an  Arabidopsis  plant Hsf. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the  Arabidopsis  Hsf AtHsfA1a, AtHsfA1b, AtHsfA1d, AtHsfA1e, AtHsfA2, AtHsfA3, AtHsfA4a, AtHsfA4c, AtHsfA5, AtHsfA6a, AtHsfA6b, AtHsfA7a, AtHsfA7b, AtHsfA8, AtHsfA9, AtHsfB1, AtHsfB2a, AtHsfB2b, AtHsfB3, AtHsfB4 or AtHsfC1. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the  Arabidopsis  Hsf is AtHsfA1b. 
     
     
         15 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method or use according to a preceding claim wherein the for improving water use efficiency and/or water productivity in plants, the method comprising introducing and overexpressing a polynucleotide sequence comprising or consisting of a biologically active derivative of a plant Hsf polynucleotide sequence.