Gene edited soybean plants with enhanced traits

Abstract

The invention relates to novel soybean plants, seeds and compositions, as well as improvements to plant breeding and methods for creating modifications in plant genomes.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A modified soybean cell, wherein the modified soybean cell comprises two or more targeted modifications, wherein at least one of the targeted modifications occurs in a gene selected from the list of genes in Table 10 or in a regulatory sequence affecting the expression of the gene. 
     
     
         2 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the gene is associated with a trait, and wherein the trait is selected from the group consisting of abiotic stress, architecture, biotic stress, nutrient use efficiency, photosynthesis, resource partitioning, and senescence, and wherein the modification improves the trait in a cell comprising the modification relative to a cell lacking the modification, or in a plant grown from a cell comprising the modification relative to a plant lacking the modification. 
     
     
         3 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the targeted gene, before modification, is at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identical to a nucleic acid sequence listed in Table 10. 
     
     
         4 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the targeted gene encodes a protein, and wherein the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein before targeting is at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of a protein listed in Table 10. 
     
     
         5 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the targeted modifications result in increased expression of the gene or decreased expression of the gene. 
     
     
         6 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one targeted modification comprises a modification selected from the group consisting of: insertion of a nucleotide sequence encoded by a polynucleotide donor molecule; deletion of genomic sequence at a double-strand break in the genome or between multiple double-strand breaks in the genome; and a change in nucleic acid or amino acid sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 6 , wherein the insertion comprises or creates an upregulatory sequence. 
     
     
         8 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 6 , wherein the insertion comprises or creates a down-regulatory sequence. 
     
     
         9 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one targeted modification knocks out expression of the targeted gene. 
     
     
         10 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one targeted modification comprises the insertion or creation of at least one transcription factor binding site. 
     
     
         11 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one targeted modification is the introduction of a sequence recognizable by a specific binding agent, and wherein contacting the sequence with the specific binding agent results in a change of expression of a sequence of interest. 
     
     
         12 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one targeted modification includes the introduction of a nucleotide sequence that encodes an RNA molecule or an amino acid sequence that is recognizable by a specific binding agent. 
     
     
         13 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modified soybean cell comprises an inserted regulatory sequence selected from the sequences listed in Table 9. 
     
     
         14 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modified soybean cell is an isolated cell or protoplast. 
     
     
         15 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modified soybean cell is in a soybean plant, or in a zygotic or somatic embryo, seed, part, or tissue of a soybean plant. 
     
     
         16 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modified soybean cell is capable of division or differentiation. 
     
     
         17 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modified soybean cell is haploid, diploid, or polyploid. 
     
     
         18 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modified soybean cell is a meristematic cell, embryonic cell, or germline cell. 
     
     
         19 . The modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , wherein the modifications are determined relative to a parent plant cell, and wherein the modified plant cell is devoid of mitotically or meiotically generated genetic or epigenetic changes relative to the parent plant cell. 
     
     
         20 . A modified soybean plant comprising the modified soybean cell of  claim 1 , or a progeny plant or progeny seed of the modified soybean plant, wherein cells of the modified soybean plant, progeny plant, or progeny seed comprise the targeted modifications.