methods and compositions for increasing yield in plants , particularly seed plants , are provided . the compositions comprise novel nucleic acid molecules encoding invertase inhibitors , antisense nucleotides corresponding to invertase inhibitors , and variants and fragments thereof . such compositions find use in methods to modulate invertase activity in plants . the compositions are also useful in methods to modulate kernel development and for protecting plants against the harmful / detrimental effects of stress and adverse environmental conditions . the nucleotide sequences may be provided in constructs for temporal , developmental , and tissue preference . transformed plants , plant cells , tissues , and seeds are additionally provided .