Methods and compositions for modulating plant development are provided. Methods employing type A Response Regulators (RR) are provided. The type A RR sequences are used in a variety of methods including modulating root development, modulating leaf and/or shoot development, modulating shoot regeneration from callus, modulating tolerance under abiotic stress, modulating yield, modulating cytokinin level/activity, and modulating plant responsiveness to cytokinin. Transformed plants, plant cell, tissues, seed, and expression vectors are also provided.