Compositions and methods for increasing plant yield are provided. The methods comprise increasing the expression of an anxin synthase gene or coding sequence in the shoot meristem and inflorescence of a plant. The compositions comprise DNA constructs comprising an auxin synthase coding sequence operably linked to a promoter that preferentially drives expression in the shoot meristem and inflorescence of a plant. Also provided are plants, plant cells, plant tissues, and seeds that have been transformed with the DNA construct.