Improved Pod Shattering and Controlled Seed Release Properties

In many agricultural seed products—such as oilseed crops grains and legumes as well as seed for planting—the premature release of seeds prior to harvest results in serious losses. Prior to this invention visual examination of the crops and other agricultural techniques such as determination of moisture content have been the primary means to indicate timing of the seed harvest. This invention uses antisense genetic manipulation to achieve rational control of the natural regulatory mechanism of seed release.

Benefits

Faster more efficient seed harvesting will result from controlling seed-pod shattering. The technology has advantage both for direct seed products such as oilseeds and for seeds to be used for propagation.

Date of release