Bud dormancy is an important survival strategy for fruit trees in temperate climates as it helps them withstand adverse environmental conditions. However, in evergreen perennials such as litchi, dormancy can occur even under ideal conditions, which presents unique challenges. To overcome these challenges, more in-depth research into the molecular mechanisms controlling dormancy in evergreen species such as litchi is needed to improve agricultural practices and crop management.

Researchers from South China Agricultural University published their results (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae150) in the May 28, 2024 issue of Horticultural researchThe focus of the study is the transcription factor MADS-Box of the MIKC type LcSVP2a gene that is crucial for regulating the dormancy phase in the terminal buds of the lychee. The research is also investigating LcSVP2The plant’s role as a flowering suppressor provides new insights into its dual function and its potential impact on cultivation practices of lychees and other fruit crops.

The study identifies LcSVP2 as a central regulator of dormancy in lychee terminal buds, with high expression levels observed during growth arrest and dormancy. Using a virus-induced gene silencing assay (VIGS), the researchers showed that silencing LcSVP2 significantly delays re-entry into dormancy, highlighting its essential role in this process. In addition, LcSVP2 acts as a flowering repressor, as its overexpression in Arabidopsis delayed flowering. The research also revealed that LcSVP2 interacts with another transcription factor, LcSMOS1, to jointly regulate bud dormancy. Both LcSVP2 And LcSMOS1 They have been found to respond to dormancy-enhancing hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene, highlighting their role in dormancy regulation and offering new avenues for crop management strategies.

Dr. Ren-Fang Zeng, a lead researcher on the study, emphasized the importance of this discovery. “Understanding the dual role of LcSVP2 in dormancy and flowering opens new perspectives on the interconnected processes in lychee. This knowledge is essential for developing improved cultivation methods, especially in regions where lychee is a major agricultural product,” noted Dr. Zeng, underscoring the far-reaching implications of the study.

The results of this study are expected to have significant implications for gardeners and agronomists working with evergreen species. By elucidating how LcSVP2 regulates dormancy and flowering, new strategies can be developed to better control these processes in lychee, potentially leading to higher yields and better fruit quality. In addition, this research paves the way for exploring similar genetic mechanisms in other evergreen perennials, which could significantly impact the cultivation of tropical and subtropical crops and support more sustainable agricultural practices.

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References

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae150

Original source URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae150

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China (31772248) and the China Litchi and Longan Industry Technology Research System (project number CARS-32-08).

To Horticultural research

Horticultural research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranks second in the Horticulture category of Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports™, 2023. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, commentaries, correspondence articles, and letters to the editor on all major horticultural crops and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cell and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, species interactions, physiology, and the origin and domestication of crop plants.