Articles
FLOROGENESIS IN GEOPHYTES: CLASSICAL AND MOLECULAR APPROACHES
Article number
886_13
Pages
113 – 118
Language
English
Abstract
Ornamental geophytes belong to numerous botanical taxa and show remarkable diversity with regard to morphology, developmental biology, genetic control and response to the environment.
Flower development of geophytes is greatly influenced both by the genetics of the individual plant and by environmental factors; their interactions affect a series of molecular and biochemical processes leading to the transition of the plant from vegetative to reproductive development.
While the morphological and physiological aspects of florogenesis have been studied in several bulbous species, there is still only limited information on the genetic control of meristem transition, formation of inflorescence, individual flowers, and flower parts.
Elucidating the genetic control of florogenesis in geophytes is important, not only for better understanding of their developmental biology, but also because of their agronomic and economic importance.
Molecular characterization of genes involved in flower morphology could help to develop novel floral architecture in flower bulbs by classical breeding or by genetic manipulations.
Until now, most genetic studies have been performed on commercially important crops.
However, a model bulbous species has to stand several specific criteria: a short juvenile period, easy pollination and seed germination, well studied morphological and physiological aspects, an established transformation system.
Recent results, prospects and future investigations of physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of florogenesis in ornamental geophytes are discussed.
Flower development of geophytes is greatly influenced both by the genetics of the individual plant and by environmental factors; their interactions affect a series of molecular and biochemical processes leading to the transition of the plant from vegetative to reproductive development.
While the morphological and physiological aspects of florogenesis have been studied in several bulbous species, there is still only limited information on the genetic control of meristem transition, formation of inflorescence, individual flowers, and flower parts.
Elucidating the genetic control of florogenesis in geophytes is important, not only for better understanding of their developmental biology, but also because of their agronomic and economic importance.
Molecular characterization of genes involved in flower morphology could help to develop novel floral architecture in flower bulbs by classical breeding or by genetic manipulations.
Until now, most genetic studies have been performed on commercially important crops.
However, a model bulbous species has to stand several specific criteria: a short juvenile period, easy pollination and seed germination, well studied morphological and physiological aspects, an established transformation system.
Recent results, prospects and future investigations of physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of florogenesis in ornamental geophytes are discussed.
Authors
R. Kamenetsky
Keywords
flower bulb, floral development, flowering physiology, flower initiation, temperature requirements
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