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Gawande ND, Bhalla H, Watts A, Shelake RM, Sankaranarayanan S. Application of genome editing in plant reproductive biology: recent advances and challenges. PLANT REPRODUCTION 2024:10.1007/s00497-024-00506-w. [PMID: 38954018 DOI: 10.1007/s00497-024-00506-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE This comprehensive review underscores the application of genome editing in plant reproductive biology, including recent advances and challenges associated with it. Genome editing (GE) is a powerful technology that has the potential to accelerate crop improvement by enabling efficient, precise, and rapid engineering of plant genomes. Over the last decade, this technology has rapidly evolved from the use of meganucleases (homing endonucleases), zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases to the use of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas), which has emerged as a popular GE tool in recent times and has been extensively used in several organisms, including plants. GE has been successfully employed in several crops to improve plant reproductive traits. Improving crop reproductive traits is essential for crop yields and securing the world's food supplies. In this review, we discuss the application of GE in various aspects of plant reproductive biology, including its potential application in haploid induction, apomixis, parthenocarpy, development of male sterile lines, and the regulation of self-incompatibility. We also discuss current challenges and future prospects of this technology for crop improvement, focusing on plant reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh D Gawande
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Hemal Bhalla
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Anshul Watts
- ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Rahul Mahadev Shelake
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four Program), Plant Molecular and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea
| | - Subramanian Sankaranarayanan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat, 382355, India.
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Sharif R, Zhu Y, Huang Y, Sohail H, Li S, Chen X, Qi X. microRNA regulates cytokinin induced parthenocarpy in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 212:108681. [PMID: 38776825 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Parthenocarpy is one of the most important agronomic traits for fruit yield in cucumbers. However, the precise gene regulation and the posttranscriptional mechanism are elusive. In the presented study, one parthenocarpic line DDX and non-parthenocarpic line ZK were applied to identify the microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in parthenocarpic fruit formation. The differential expressed miRNAs among parthenocarpic fruit of forchlorfenuron (CPPU) treated ZK (ZK-CPPU), pollinated ZK (ZK-P), non-pollinated DDX (DDX-NP) were compared with the non-parthenocarpic fruits of non-pollinated ZK (ZK-NP). It indicated 98 miRNAs exhibited differential expression were identified. Notably, a significant proportion of these miRNAs were enriched in the signal transduction pathway of plant hormones, as identified by the KEGG pathway analysis. qRT-PCR validation indicated that CsmiR156 family was upregulated in the ZK-NP while downregulated in ZK-CPPU, ZK-P, and DDX-NP at 1 day after anthesis. Meanwhile, the opposite trend was observed for CsmiR164a. In ZK-CPPU, ZK-P, and DDX-NP, CsmiRNA156 genes (CsSPL16 and CsARR9-like) were upregulated while CsmiRNA164a genes (CsNAC6, CsCUC1, and CsNAC100) were downregulated. The GUS and dual luciferase assay validated that CsmiR156a inhibited while CsmiR164a induced their target genes' transcription. This study presents novel insights into the involvement of CsmiR156a and CsmiR164a in the CK-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of cucumber parthenocarpy, which will aid future breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahat Sharif
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yamei Zhu
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Yaoyue Huang
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Hamza Sohail
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Su Li
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China
| | - Xuehao Chen
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China.
| | - Xiaohua Qi
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, PR China.
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Picarella ME, Ruiu F, Selleri L, Presa S, Mizzotti C, Masiero S, Colombo L, Soressi GP, Granell A, Mazzucato A. Genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the parthenocarpic fruit mutation in tomato. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1329949. [PMID: 38601310 PMCID: PMC11004453 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1329949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Parthenocarpy allows fruit set independently of fertilization. In parthenocarpic-prone tomato genotypes, fruit set can be achieved under pollen-limiting environmental conditions and in sterile mutants. Parthenocarpy is also regarded as a quality-related trait, when seedlessness is associated with positive fruit quality aspects. Among the different sources of genetic parthenocarpy described in tomato, the parthenocarpic fruit (pat) mutation is of particular interest because of its strong expressivity, high fruit set, and enhanced fruit quality. The complexity of the pat "syndrome" associates a strong competence for parthenocarpy with a complex floral phenotype involving stamen and ovule developmental aberrations. To understand the genetic basis of the phenotype, we mapped the pat locus within a 0.19-cM window of Chr3, comprising nine coding loci. A non-tolerated missense mutation found in the 14th exon of Solyc03g120910, the tomato ortholog of the Arabidopsis HD-Zip III transcription factor HB15 (SlHB15), cosegregated with the pat phenotype. The role of SlHB15 in tomato reproductive development was supported by its expression in developing ovules. The link between pat and SlHB15 was validated by complementation and knock out experiments by co-suppression and CRISPR/Cas9 approaches. Comparing the phenotypes of pat and those of Arabidopsis HB15 mutants, we argued that the gene plays similar functions in species with fleshy and dry fruits, supporting a conserved mechanism of fruit set regulation in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio E. Picarella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ruiu
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Luigi Selleri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Presa
- Departamento de Biotecnología de Cultivos, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) – Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Chiara Mizzotti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze (DBS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Masiero
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze (DBS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Colombo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze (DBS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Piero Soressi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Antonio Granell
- Departamento de Biotecnología de Cultivos, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) – Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia (UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrea Mazzucato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Hua B, Wu J, Han X, Bian X, Xu Z, Sun C, Wang R, Zhang W, Liang F, Zhang H, Li S, Li Z, Wu S. Auxin homeostasis is maintained by sly-miR167-SlARF8A/B-SlGH3.4 feedback module in the development of locular and placental tissues of tomato fruits. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1177-1192. [PMID: 37985404 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The locular gel, produced by the placenta, is important for fruit flavor and seed development in tomato. However, the mechanism underlying locule and placenta development is not fully understood yet. Here, we show that two SlARF transcription factors, SlARF8B and SlARF8A (SlARF8A/B), promote the development of locular and placenta tissues. The expression of both SlARF8A and SlARF8B is repressed by sly-microRNA167 (sly-miR167), allowing for the activation of auxin downstream genes. In slarf8a, slarf8b, and slarf8a/b mutants, the auxin (IAA) levels are decreased, whereas the levels of inactive IAA conjugates including IAA-Ala, IAA-Asp, and IAA-Glu are increased. We further find that SlARF8B directly inhibits the expression of SlGH3.4, an acyl acid amino synthetase that conjugates the amino acids to IAA. Disruption of such auxin balance by the increased expression of SlGH3.4 or SlGH3.2 results in defective locular and placental tissues. Taken together, our findings reveal an important regulatory module constituted by sly-miR167-SlARF8A/B-SlGH3.4 during the development of locular and placenta tissues of tomato fruits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Hua
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Junqing Wu
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xiaoqian Han
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xinxin Bian
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhijing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology, Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chao Sun
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Renyin Wang
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Wenyan Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Fei Liang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Shuang Li
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhengguo Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant Hormones and Development Regulation of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 401331, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- College of Horticulture, Haixia Institute of Science and Technology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
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Baranov D, Dolgov S, Timerbaev V. New Advances in the Study of Regulation of Tomato Flowering-Related Genes Using Biotechnological Approaches. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:359. [PMID: 38337892 PMCID: PMC10856997 DOI: 10.3390/plants13030359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The tomato is a convenient object for studying reproductive processes, which has become a classic. Such complex processes as flowering and fruit setting require an understanding of the fundamental principles of molecular interaction, the structures of genes and proteins, the construction of signaling pathways for transcription regulation, including the synchronous actions of cis-regulatory elements (promoter and enhancer), trans-regulatory elements (transcription factors and regulatory RNAs), and transposable elements and epigenetic regulators (DNA methylation and acetylation, chromatin structure). Here, we discuss the current state of research on tomatoes (2017-2023) devoted to studying the function of genes that regulate flowering and signal regulation systems using genome-editing technologies, RNA interference gene silencing, and gene overexpression, including heterologous expression. Although the central candidate genes for these regulatory components have been identified, a complete picture of their relationship has yet to be formed. Therefore, this review summarizes the latest achievements related to studying the processes of flowering and fruit set. This work attempts to display the gene interaction scheme to better understand the events under consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Baranov
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (D.B.); (S.D.)
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey Dolgov
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (D.B.); (S.D.)
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vadim Timerbaev
- Laboratory of Expression Systems and Plant Genome Modification, Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (D.B.); (S.D.)
- Laboratory of Plant Genetic Engineering, All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, 127550 Moscow, Russia
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Ezura K, Nomura Y, Ariizumi T. Molecular, hormonal, and metabolic mechanisms of fruit set, the ovary-to-fruit transition, in horticultural crops. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2023; 74:6254-6268. [PMID: 37279328 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fruit set is the process by which the ovary develops into a fruit and is an important factor in determining fruit yield. Fruit set is induced by two hormones, auxin and gibberellin, and the activation of their signaling pathways, partly by suppressing various negative regulators. Many studies have investigated the structural changes and gene networks in the ovary during fruit set, revealing the cytological and molecular mechanisms. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), SlIAA9 and SlDELLA/PROCERA act as auxin and gibberellin signaling repressors, respectively, and are important regulators of the activity of transcription factors and downstream gene expression involved in fruit set. Upon pollination, SlIAA9 and SlDELLA are degraded, which subsequently activates downstream cascades and mainly contributes to active cell division and cell elongation, respectively, in ovaries during fruit setting. According to current knowledge, the gibberellin pathway functions as the most downstream signal in fruit set induction, and therefore its role in fruit set has been extensively explored. Furthermore, multi-omics analysis has revealed the detailed dynamics of gene expression and metabolites downstream of gibberellins, highlighting the rapid activation of central carbon metabolism. This review will outline the relevant mechanisms at the molecular and metabolic levels during fruit set, particularly focusing on tomato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Ezura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
- Research Fellow of Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS), Kojimachi, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8566, Japan
| | - Yukako Nomura
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Tohru Ariizumi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
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Tian S, Zhang Z, Qin G, Xu Y. Parthenocarpy in Cucurbitaceae: Advances for Economic and Environmental Sustainability. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3462. [PMID: 37836203 PMCID: PMC10574560 DOI: 10.3390/plants12193462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Parthenocarpy is an important agricultural trait that not only produces seedless fruits, but also increases the rate of the fruit set under adverse environmental conditions. The study of parthenocarpy in Cucurbitaceae crops has considerable implications for cultivar improvement. This article provides a comprehensive review of relevant studies on the parthenocarpic traits of several major Cucurbitaceae crops and offers a perspective on future developments and research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouwei Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Zeliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Genji Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Beijing Vegetable Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing 100097, China
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Fahad M, Altaf MT, Jamil A, Basit A, Aslam MM, Liaqat W, Shah MN, Ullah I, Mohamed HI. Functional characterization of transcriptional activator gene SIARRI in tomato reveals its role in fruit growth and ripening. Transgenic Res 2023; 32:77-93. [PMID: 36806962 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-023-00337-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Auxins regulate several characteristics of plant development and growth. Here, we characterized a new transcriptional activator SIARRI which binds specific DNA sequences and was revealed in Arabidopsis (ARR1). SIARRI acts as a two-component response regulator and its Arabidopsis homologous gene is AT3G16857. It belongs to the subfamily of type-B response regulators in the cytokinin signaling pathway. The study aimed to characterize the transgenic Micro-Tom plants by the overexpression of Solanum lycopersicum two-component response regulator ARR1. Overexpression of SIARRI results in a pleiotropic phenotype during fruit development and ripening. This study indicates that SIARRI is a primary regulator of leaf morphology and fruit development. Moreover, overexpressed plants showed variations in growth related to auxin as well as shorter hypocotyl elongation, enlarged leaf vascularization, and decreased apical dominance. The qRT-PCR investigation revealed that expression was downregulated at the breaker stage and high at Br+6 at various stages of fruit growth and ripening. In contrast to the fruit color, lycopene and β-carotene concentrations in red-yellow overexpression line fruits were reduced significantly, and also slightly reduced in some red fruits. The quantity of β-carotene in the transgenic fruits was lower than that of lycopene. This study showed that this gene might be a new transcriptional activator in fruit development and ripening. Furthermore, this study will provide new insights into tomato fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Fahad
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Muhammad Tanveer Altaf
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Sivas University of Science and Technology, 58140, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Amna Jamil
- Department of Horticulture, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, 60000, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Basit
- Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Mudassir Aslam
- Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University College of Agriculture, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Waqas Liaqat
- Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Shah
- North Florida Research and Education Centre (NFREC), University of Florida, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL, 32351, USA
| | - Izhar Ullah
- Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Heba I Mohamed
- Department of Biological and Geological Sciences, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11341, Egypt.
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Sharif R, Su L, Chen X, Qi X. Hormonal interactions underlying parthenocarpic fruit formation in horticultural crops. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2022; 9:6497882. [PMID: 35031797 PMCID: PMC8788353 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In some horticultural crops, such as Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, and Rosaceae species, fruit set and development can occur without the fertilization of ovules, a process known as parthenocarpy. Parthenocarpy is an important agricultural trait that can not only mitigate fruit yield losses caused by environmental stresses but can also induce the development of seedless fruit, which is a desirable trait for consumers. In the present review, the induction of parthenocarpic fruit by the application of hormones such as auxins (2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; naphthaleneacetic acid), cytokinins (forchlorfenuron; 6-benzylaminopurine), gibberellic acids, and brassinosteroids is first presented. Then, the molecular mechanisms of parthenocarpic fruit formation, mainly related to plant hormones, are presented. Auxins, gibberellic acids, and cytokinins are categorized as primary players in initiating fruit set. Other hormones, such as ethylene, brassinosteroids, and melatonin, also participate in parthenocarpic fruit formation. Additionally, synergistic and antagonistic crosstalk between these hormones is crucial for deciding the fate of fruit set. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps and suggest future directions of research on parthenocarpic fruit formation in horticultural crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahat Sharif
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Xuehao Chen
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
- Corresponding authors. E-mail: ,
| | - Xiaohua Qi
- Department of Horticulture, School of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, 48 Wenhui East Road, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
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