Rootstocks modulates the gene expression in sweet cherry crop

14 Nov 2023
1036

Grafting is a commonly used practice in horticulture, mainly employed to manage plant growth, increase fruit yield and quality, and improve plant resistance to biotic and abiotic challenges. Indeed, the use of the Gisela 6 rootstock, which is recognised for its greater dwarfing characteristics than commonly used rootstocks in China, facilitates the achievement of higher crop yields.

This can be attributed to the greater abundance of flower buds, which consequently results in a higher fruit load. Researchers at the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (China) analysed gene expression as a function of the rootstock adopted.

Xuwei Duan

For this study, the Tieton/Landing 2 and Tieton/Gisela 6 combinations were used by analysing 4-year-old plants. Thanks to this study, the PaMYBF gene was identified and at the same time it was noted that the expression of PaMYBF was significantly higher in the phloem tissue of the scion when grafted onto the Gisela 6 rootstock.

Preliminary results confirmed the correlation between the expression of this particular gene and the flowering process. Transcriptome analysis revealed considerable variations in the expression patterns of hormone-associated genes in the various rootstock and scion combinations.

In this study, it was also found that the expression of the PaMYBF gene can be increased by the exogenous application of phytohormones such as jasmonates. The repercussions of this increased gene expression are expected to have a favourable effect on the number of flowering buds, but targeted studies need to be continued to better understand this phenomenon.

Source: Xuwei Duan, Rootstock induced PaMYBF participating floral bud formation in sweet cherry, IX International Cherry Simposium, https://2021.cherries.org.cn/replayEn.html

Images: IX International Cherry Simposium


Melissa Venturi
University of Bologna (IT)


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Washington State University's insights for preventing bacterial canker

Crop protection

02 Apr 2024

The pathogen infects many plant species and survives on the leaf surface of many weeds found on orchard floors. It is known for being epiphytic, which means that pathogen colonization can occur on any plant tissue without provoking infection or symptoms.

Sierra (Spain) cherry crisis: less and less quantity and insufficient labour

Production

06 Jun 2024

‘Agriculture is disappearing in Sierra,’ warns Inocencio Manuel Sánchez vice-president in charge of the Cepeda cooperative and points out that it can become problematic for a small producer or cooperative to be able to sell, for example, cherries.

In evidenza

Managing insecticide resistance in Chile against Drosophila suzukii

Crop protection

02 Jun 2025

Drosophila suzukii minaccia le colture frutticole cilene: il 61% degli insetticidi autorizzati appartiene a poche famiglie chimiche. Scopri strategie integrate, uso dei bioinsetticidi, rifugi ecologici e app IRAC per una gestione efficace e sostenibile della resistenza.

How to extend Bing cherries’ shelf life in Mexico with calcium and silicon

Post-harvest​

02 Jun 2025

A study on postharvest treatments with calcium and silicon reveals how to improve firmness, color and acidity of Bing cherries grown in Mexico. The results show reduced weight loss and enhanced commercial and sensory quality of the fruit during cold storage.

Tag Popolari