Title: Methods and Means for Altering Fiber Characteristics in Fiber-Producing Plants. Number: 20050044590. Filed: Aug. 11, 2004. Lead Inventor: Yong Ling Ruan, CSIRO.

According to the patent application’s abstract, the invention comprises “methods and means … for modulating fiber length in fiber-producing plants such as cotton by altering the fiber elongation phase. The fiber elongation phase may be increased or decreased by interfering with callose deposition in plasmodesmata at the base of the fiber cells.”