Increasing crop yield requires the coordination of multiple metabolic
pathways including photosynthetic carbon fixation, and targeted carbon
deposition. The research team of Madana M.R. Ambavaram from Yield10
Bioscience Incorporated in the USA search for transcription factor genes
that could play a role in increasing carbon flow through pathways to
increase biomass yield in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).



Two novel switchgrass transcription factor genes, PvBMY1 (BioMass Yield 1)
and PvBMY3 (BioMass Yield 3), with predicted roles in the regulation of
photosynthesis and related metabolism, were identified. These genes were
then overexpressed in switchgrass to determine their effect on biomass
yield.



A significant increase of as high as 160% was observed in both aboveground
and root biomass in the transgenic plants compared to wild-type control
during the greenhouse experiment. Transgenic lines with elevated electron
transport rate of photosystems I and II as well as increased levels of
starch and soluble sugars were also identified.

This study reveals that PvBMY1 and PvBMY3 are capable of significantly
increasing biomass in switchgrass. These genes possess huge potentials for
use in developing high biomass switchgrass for
[www.isaaa.org] biofuel
production.



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