Analysis of kiwifruit MADS box genes with potential roles in bud dormancy and flower development

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 1048; pp. 107 - 112
• Main Authors: Varkonyi-Gasic, E, Wang, T, Karunairetnam, S, Nain, B, Wu, R, Hellens, R. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01-01-2014
• Subjects: Actinidia; Arabidopsis thaliana; budbreak; buds; cold treatment; dormancy; flowering; flowers; fruit yield; genes; growing season; kiwifruit; loci; shoots; transcription factors; vernalization
• ISSN: 0567-7572; 2406-6168
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1048.12

Flower development in kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is initiated in the first growing season, when undifferentiated primordia are established in axillary shoot buds. These primordia can differentiate into flowers in the second growing season, after the winter dormancy period and upon accumulation of adequate winter chilling. Insufficient winter chilling results in poor budbreak, reduced flowering and reduced fruit yield. Members of the MADS-box gene family of transcription factors have demonstrated roles in inflorescence and flower development and have flower-promoting or repressing functions. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the vernalization requirement is largely conferred by the MADS-box gene FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a member of a small gene family that also contains five MADS AFFECTING FLOWERING (MAF) genes, all thought to function as repressors of flowering. It is unclear if the FLC-mediated vernalization response is restricted to the Brassicaceae. Our aim is to establish the role of FLC-like genes in dormancy, budbreak and flowering of kiwifruit.