Gene Expression Analysis in Cold Stress Conditions Reveals BBX20 and CLO as Potential Biomarkers for Cold Tolerance in Almond

Late spring frosts can become one of the limiting factors for expansion cultivation area towards a harsher climate almond [Prunus amygdalus Batsch syn P. dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] crop as frost damage up to 90% harvest. In order identify key genes favoring cold tolerance in almonds, branches from three late-blooming genotypes: ‘Guara’, ‘Soleta’ and ‘Belona’ were exposed at −4 °C during 24 h constant chamber. Phenotype analysis showed that ‘Guara’ had greater acclimation capacity than ‘Belona’. The qRT-PCR BioMark System technology was used monitor relative expression 30 candidate with potential relation response, which are either involved ICE-CBF-COR pathway or independent CBF pathway, also not yet characterized unknown function genome. Differences gene profiles found among studied genotypes time-points exposure (0, 2 h). BBX20 CLO behaved differentiator between tolerant susceptible stress response pistils. addition, differences suggested intervention different mechanisms responding almonds.