8-2009-2203  |  Genes for Improving Crop Yield

Daniel Zamir, HUJI, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture

Uri Krieger, HUJI, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture

Zachary Lippman

Proprietary method produces genes for desirable traits

Categories	Agriculture, Field Crops / Plant Breeding
Development Stage	Proof of concept; ongoing research
Patent Status	PCT application filed

Highlights

• Identification of genes for producing superior plant hybrids that improve yield.
• Intercrossing different varieties of plants frequently produces hybrid offspring with superior vigor and increased yields in a poorly understood phenomenon known as heterosis.
• Successful field trials conducted using tomatoes showed up to 60% increase in yield.
• The gene SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT) determines increased yield in hybrid tomatoes; combining defective and functional allele in hybrid plant leads to reduced dose of gene product of SFT. Together with related SELF PRUNING (SP) gene, regulates balance between growth and development of flowers.
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Our Innovation

Genes for increasing yield in field crops using a proprietary method.

Key Features

• Method can be used to identify other single genes that control heterosis for desirable traits.
• The SFT mutant in a heterozygous condition increases yield of determinate tomato varieties.

Development Milestones

• Seeking funding for ongoing research and cooperation for commercialization

The Opportunity

• Rising global energy requirements and environmental concerns mean agricultural crops must now provide fuel as well as food, feed and fiber, such as sugar beet and sugarcane with higher sugar and energy yields.
• Increasing competition for land used for food, feed and energy crops make it essential to expand the yield of agricultural crops.

Contact for more information:
Ziv Shomroni , VP Licensing Agriculture and Natural Sciences, +972-2-6586688

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