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Published on: March 20, 2019
Fragaria ananassa DAM4 expression correlates with vegetative growth during semi-dormancy breaking
Stephan David1, Philippe Kersten1, Xiren Cao1
1Horticulture and Product Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700AA, the Netherlands.
Dormancy-Associated MADS-BOX (DAM)3 and DAM4 gene expression negatively correlates with vegetative growth in strawberry, suggesting their role in regulating winter dormancy. Their expression patterns align with semi-dormancy induction and breaking processes.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Dormancy-Associated MADS-BOX (DAM) genes are implicated in regulating winter dormancy in cultivated strawberry (*Fragaria x ananassa*).
- DAM3 and DAM4 expression increases under short-day conditions and decreases with chilling exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between DAM3 and DAM4 gene expression and vegetative growth during strawberry dormancy.
- To assess the role of DAM3 and DAM4 in dormancy induction and breaking.
- To compare DAM gene expression across different strawberry cultivars and leaf types.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of DAM3 and DAM4 gene expression alongside plant morphology and physiology during semi-dormancy.
- Comparative expression analysis between strawberry cultivars with varying chilling requirements.
- Examination of DAM gene expression in summer and winter leaves during dormancy breaking.
Main Results:
- DAM3 and DAM4 expression showed a negative correlation with leaf area and petiole length.
- DAM4 expression strongly correlated with vegetative growth during semi-dormancy breaking.
- No significant correlation was found between DAM3/DAM4 expression and cultivar-specific chilling requirements or between summer and winter leaves.
Conclusions:
- DAM3 and DAM4 gene expression patterns support their role as regulators of semi-dormancy in strawberry.
- DAM4 is a key regulator of vegetative growth during the breaking of semi-dormancy.
- DAM gene expression is not directly linked to cultivar-specific chilling requirements or leaf type differences during dormancy.
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