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Comparative physiological and transcriptomic analysis of pear leaves under distinct training systems
Zheng Liu1, Liyuan An2,3, Shihua Lin2,3
1Research Institute of Fruit and Tea, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, 430064, China. liuzhenghzau@aliyun.com.
Scientific Reports
|November 4, 2020
Summary
Pear canopy architecture significantly impacts photosynthesis. A flat-type trellis system enhances light interception and photosynthetic efficiency, linked to circadian clock genes.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Horticulture
Background:
- Canopy architecture is crucial for light interception, distribution, photosynthesis, and productivity in pear trees.
- The physiological and molecular mechanisms linking pear canopy traits to photosynthesis are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how distinct pear training systems affect physiological responses and molecular mechanisms related to photosynthesis.
- To identify key genes and pathways involved in mediating photosynthetic performance under different canopy architectures.
Main Methods:
- Comparative physiological measurements of pear leaves under traditional freestanding and flat-type trellis (DP) systems.
- Transcriptomic analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and over-represented biological processes.
- Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to find gene modules correlated with photosynthetic rates.
Main Results:
- The DP system exhibited higher net photosynthetic rates (PN) compared to the freestanding system, particularly in the interior canopy.
- Gene ontology analysis indicated enrichment of photosynthesis, carbohydrate derivative catabolic, and fatty acid metabolic processes in the DP system.
- A significant gene module positively correlated with PN was identified, with hub genes (PpFKF1, PpPRR5) enriched in the circadian rhythm pathway.
Conclusions:
- Pear canopy architecture, specifically open-canopy traits in the DP system, positively influences photosynthetic efficiency.
- Circadian clock genes play a role in mediating photosynthetic performance in response to varying light availability caused by different training systems.
- Light harvesting and circadian clock networks are potential targets for improving pear productivity through canopy management.
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