METHOD OF IMPROVING ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANCE OF PLANTS AND PLANTS GENERATED THEREBY

1 . A method of improving abiotic stress tolerance of a plant, the method comprising genetically modifying the plant to express miRNA167 in an abiotic stress responsive manner, wherein a level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress conditions is selected not exceeding 10 fold compared to same in the plant when grown under optimal conditions, thereby improving abiotic stress tolerance of the plant.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said genetically modifying the plant to express miRNA167 is effected by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding miR167.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said exogenous polynucleotide is expressed under an abiotic stress-responsive promoter.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said abiotic stress-responsive promoter is selected from the group consisting of OsABA2, OsPrx, Wcor413, Lip5, rab16A, XVSAP1 and OsNAC6.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said abiotic stress-responsive promoter is OsNAC6.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under optimal conditions is as that of miR167 in a non-genetically modified plant of the same species and growth conditions.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress does not exceed 8 fold as compared to same in the plant when grown under said optimal conditions.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress does not exceed 5 fold as compared to same in the plant when grown under said optimal conditions.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress does not exceed 3 fold as compared to same in the plant when grown under said optimal conditions.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress does not exceed 2 fold as compared to same in the plant when grown under said optimal conditions.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress does not exceed 1.4-2 fold as compared to same in the plant when grown under said optimal conditions.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said level of expression of total miR167 under said abiotic stress does not exceed 1.7-2 fold as compared to same in the plant when grown under said optimal conditions.

13 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising growing the plant under said abiotic stress.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said abiotic stress is selected from the group consisting of salinity, water deprivation, low temperature, high temperature, heavy metal toxicity, anaerobiosis, nutrient deficiency, nutrient excess, atmospheric pollution and UV irradiation.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said water deprivation comprises drought.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said drought is intermittent drought.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said drought is terminal drought.

18 . A plant or a plant cell genetically modified to express miR167, wherein expression of said miRNA167 in the plant cell is abiotic stress responsive and further wherein a level of expression of total miR167 in the plant cell under said abiotic stress does not exceed 10 fold as compared to same in a plant when grown under optimal conditions.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said abiotic stress is selected from the group consisting of salinity, water deprivation, low temperature, high temperature, heavy metal toxicity, anaerobiosis, nutrient deficiency, nutrient excess, atmospheric pollution and UV irradiation.