The present invention describes an approach to increase plant growth and production. The invention describes methods for the use of functional sulfinoalanine decarboxylase (SAD) or the promiscuous enzyme activity of SAD in plants or algal cells. Transgenic plants will have increased plant growth, biomass, yield, and/or tolerance to biotic and/or abiotic stresses and could be used as a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or as a supplement in animal feed.