Flower induction in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is regulated by complex gene networks that involve multiple signal pathways to ensure flower bud formation in the next year, but the molecular determinants of apple flower induction are still unknown. In this research, transcriptomic profiles from differentiating buds allowed us to identify genes potentially involved in signaling pathways that ...

Flower induction in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees plays an important life cycle role, but young trees produce fewer and inferior quality flower buds. Therefore, shoot bending has become an important cultural practice, significantly promoting the capacity to develop more flower buds during the growing seasons. Additionally, microRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in plant growth, flower i...

Changes in gene expression during flower formation were studied in the long-day plant Sinapis alba. The day length dependence was exploited to synchronize flower formation in a large population of mustard plants. After an inductive light treatment, apices were harvested after different lengths of time, and changes in gene expression were analyzed. Two major groups of genes were identified whose...

An efficient protocol for in vitro flowering of Spilanthes acmella Murr., a medicinally valuable plant, has been developed. Multiple shoot formation of up to 4 shoots was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg/l). Regenerated shoots were subcultured cultured on MS medium containing various concentrations of BAP alone or in combination with IAA. Presence of BAP...

Flower development in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) extends over two consecutive seasons. During the first season, most shoot apical meristems change to reproductive growth and initiate flowers. After winter dormancy, flower development continues during the second season and ends with anthesis in the spring. To determine the beginning of the transition to reproductive growth at the molecular l...

Considerable infonnation has been developed on floral induction and the flowering process in Citrus in the papers which precede this one. Flower induction is a prerequisite to fruit production, so it is very important to have a clear understanding ofthe process. However, simply producing large numbers offlowers does not necessarily guarantee a subsequent large crop of fruit to harvest when they...

Photoperiod and temperature are major environmental signals affecting flowering in plants. Although molecular pathways mediating these signals have been well characterized in the annual model plant Arabidopsis, much less information is known in perennials. Many perennials including the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) are induced to flower in response to decreasing photoperiod and temper...

PETAL LOSS is a new class of flower development gene whose mutant phenotype is confined mostly to the second whorl. Two properties are disrupted, organ initiation and organ orientation. Initiation is frequently blocked, especially in later-formed flowers, or variably delayed. The few petals that arise occupy a wider zone of the flower primordium than normal. Also, a minority of petals are trump...

Patterning of the floral organs is exquisitely controlled and executed by four classes of homeotic regulators. Among these, the class B and class C floral homeotic regulators are of central importance as they specify the male and female reproductive organs. Inappropriate induction of the class B gene APETALA3 (AP3) and the class C gene AGAMOUS (AG) causes reduced reproductive fitness and is pre...