Increased branching independent of strigolactone in cytokinin oxidase 2-overexpressing tomato is mediated by reduced auxin transport

Abstract Tomato production is influenced by shoot branching, which controlled different hormones. Here we produced tomato plants overexpressing the cytokinin-deactivating gene CYTOKININ OXYDASE 2 ( CKX2 ). -overexpressing (CKX2-OE) showed an excessive growth of axillary shoots, opposite phenotype expected for with reduced cytokinin content, as evidenced LC-MS analysis and ARR5-GUS staining. The TCP transcription factor SlBRC1b was downregulated in buds CKX2-OE its branching dependent on a functional version GRAS-family LATERAL SUPPRESSOR LS Grafting experiments indicated that increased unlikely to be mediated root-derived signals. Crossing transgenic antisense strigolactone biosynthesis CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE CCD7 -AS) additive phenotype, indicating independent effects strigolactones branching. On other hand, polar auxin transport their bud outgrowth when combined mutants. Accordingly, basal did not respond applied decapitated apex. Our results suggest depends fine-tuning hormonal balances perturbations status could compensate levels plants.