Molecular and genetic basis of bud dormancy regulation in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume)

概要

Bud dormancy is an important adaptive process for woody perennials to survive under extreme cold
in winter and to ensure robust plant development in spring. Many deciduous fruit tree species,
including Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc), require exposure to a genetically determined
chilling period, known as chilling requirement (CR) fulfillment, to ensure bud dormancy break.
Exposure to a subsequent warm period, known as heat requirement (HR) fulfillment, leads to bud
break and blooming. Global climate change affects dormancy release and CR/HR fulfilment.
Understanding their regulation mechanisms, therefore, is important to ensure stable fruit production.
Previous studies showed that the levels of plant hormones and the expression of DORMANCYASSOCIATED MADS-box (DAM) genes correlate with bud dormancy process in Japanese apricot,
but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Moreover, little information is
available about the genetic factors controlling bud dormancy. This study explored the molecular
mechanisms of bud dormancy regulation involving putative key dormancy regulators, abscisic acid
(ABA) and PmDAM6. Furthermore, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to
determine genomic regions and genetic factors controlling bud dormancy. ...