Senescence in Plants

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Senescence in Plants
Invention Gene to Manipulate Leaf Senescence in
Plants
This invention provides tools to delay the leaf
yellowing process and increase crop yield and
biomass.
Inventors
Dr. Susheng Gan
Assoc. Professor of Horticulture
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Senescence in Plants
Product Opportunity

• Improve commercial crop yield.

• Manipulate life cycle of ornamental plants.

• Increase biomass accumulation .

• Improve posthavest control .

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Senescence in Plants
Cornell Technology

• NAP is a transcription factor that regulates the
  process of leaf senescence.

• Silencing NAP slows down leaf yellowing and
  potentially increase crop yield.

• NAP is present in many crops, including Soybean,
  Maize, Rice and Bean.

• Over-expressing NAP will accelerate senescence of
  leaves, which might be useful in cotton
  defoliation before harvesting .

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Senescence in Plants
Developmental status

• Soybean

Wild Type
Transgenic
Significantly delayed leaf senescence in
transgenic soybean (right) compared with that of
age-matched wild type plant (left).

• Maize transformation in process

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Senescence in Plants
Technology Availability
IP PCT/US2007/065321 was filed.
Licensing exclusive and non-exclusive rights
currently available.
Contact Alice Li xl11_at_cornell.edu
www.cctec.cornell.edu