The present invention provides methods and compositions for increasing the seed size and/or seed number in plants. In particular, the methods and compositions provide for the over expression of a plant growth and/or development related or associated gene during embryo development. Transgenic plants transformed with genetic constructs having the plant growth and/or development associated gene under the control of an early phase-specific embryo promoter provides mature plants in the field that produce larger and/or more seeds. Methods for selection growth and development associated genes that provide transgenic plants with a higher yield phenotype are also provided.