Rootstocks modulates the gene expression in sweet cherry crop

14 Nov 2023
978

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

Chilean cherries: focus on early varieties to reach over 130,000 tonnes in 2027

Production

06 May 2024

‘The cherries of the southern hemisphere are us,’ says Claudio Vial, general manager of the cherry exporter Ranco Cherries, who provides information on the increase in Chilean cherry production (+37%), to reach around 130 million tonnes in 2027.

ANA Chile® exclusively releases new cherry tree pruning video guide

Tech management

30 Aug 2024

ANA Chile® provides you with valuable videos with pruning guidelines by consultant Walter Masman. The videos present pruning guidelines for the production of Sweet Aryana® PA1UNIBO and Nimba both grafted on the Colt rootstock.

In evidenza

Santina cherries and bacterial canker: protecting Chilean orchards from Pseudomonas syringae

Crop protection

12 May 2025

The Santina cherry variety is highly vulnerable to bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae. Discover causes, symptoms, effective prevention and management strategies to protect Chilean orchards and ensure sustainable, profitable cherry production.

$5M for climate resilience: support for British Columbia fruit growers

Production

12 May 2025

The government of British Columbia invests $5 million to help cherry, apple, pear, and other fruit growers tackle climate change, with 69 approved projects and innovative, ambitious measures scheduled through 2027 across the Okanagan and Kootenays regions.

Tag Popolari