The present invention provides a substantially purified nucleic acid molecule encoding a Brassica oleracea APETALA1 (AP1) gene product, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis AP1 gene product or a Zea mays AP1 gene product. The invention also provides a substantially purified Brassica oleracea AP1 gene product, a substantially purified Brassica oleracea var. botrytis AP1 gene product or a substantially purified Zea mays AP1 gene product in addition to an antibody that specifically binds such an AP1 gene product. In addtion, the invention provides an expression vector containing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a floral meristem identity gene product operably linked to a heterologous regulatory element. Kits for converting shoot meristem to floral meristem in an angiosperm and kits for promoting early reproductive development in a seed plant also are provided.
