The present invention concerns a method for improving the growth characteristics of plants by increasing activity in a plant of an RNA-binding protein or a homologue thereof, wherein said RNA-binding protein or homologue thereof is either: (i) a polypeptide having RNA-binding activity and comprising either 2 or 3 RNA 10 recognition motifs (RRMs) and a motif having at least 75% sequence identity to motif I: PIYEAAVVALPVVVKERLVRILRLGIATRYD and/or a motif having at least 50% sequence identity to motif II: RFDPFTGEPYKFDP; or (ii) an RBP1 polypeptide or homologue thereof having (a) RNA-binding activity; (b) two RRM domains, (c) the following two motifs: (i) KIFVGGL; and (ii) 15 RPRGFGF, allowing for up to three amino acid substitutions and any conservative change in the motifs; and (d) having at least 20% sequence identity to the amino acid represented by SEQ ID NO: 15. The invention also concerns to transgenic plants having introduced therein an RNA-binding protein-encoding nucleic acid or variant thereof, which plants have improved growth characteristics relative to corresponding wild type plants. The present invention also concerns constructs useful in the methods of the invention.