RESUMO
Some walnut trees (Juglans regia L.) originating from central Asia display an early flowering phenotype. These "Early Mature" (EM) trees may produce flowers within months of germination. Secondary flowering waves are also observed within a growing season. Inflorescences may carry male, female and hermaphrodite flowers. Progeny obtained from selected EM trees were cultured in vitro to initiate clonal propagation of these genotypes. Embryogenic lines were established through the culture of immature zygotic embryos. Microshoot lines were obtained from germinated somatic or zygotic embryos. Plants showing EM phenotypes were recovered through direct conversion of somatic embryos or adventitious rooting of microcuttings. During the in vitro propagation phase, flower buds were observed on microshoots after three to six subcultures. Histological analysis showed that most of these flowers were hermaphrodite. In vitro apical buds were used to clone the walnut orthologous cDNAs of the AGAMOUS and APETALA 3 MADS-box genes. Northern blots revealed a preferential expression of both of these homeotic genes in flowers. The results highlight the usefulness of EM lines to study the genetic cues controlling flowering and sexual maturity in woody perennials.
Assuntos
Juglans/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Árvores/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Bases , Northern Blotting , Southern Blotting , Flores/genética , Flores/fisiologia , Genes de Plantas/genética , Genes de Plantas/fisiologia , Juglans/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Árvores/genéticaRESUMO
The agronomic and pulping performance of transgenic trees with altered lignin has been evaluated in duplicated, long-term field trials. Poplars expressing cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) or caffeate/5-hydroxy-ferulate O-methyltransferase (COMT) antisense transgenes were grown for four years at two sites, in France and England. The trees remained healthy throughout the trial. Growth indicators and interactions with insects were normal. No changes in soil microbial communities were detected beneath the transgenic trees. The expected modifications to lignin were maintained in the transgenics over four years, at both sites. Kraft pulping of tree trunks showed that the reduced-CAD lines had improved characteristics, allowing easier delignification, using smaller amounts of chemicals, while yielding more high-quality pulp. This work highlights the potential of engineering wood quality for more environmentally benign papermaking without interfering with tree growth or fitness.
