ISHS Acta Horticulturae 817: I International Symposium on Horticulture in Europe
GENETIC CONTROL OF STATURE IN ORNAMENTAL SPECIES |
| Authors: | S. Kourmpetli, A. Bhattacharya, M.R. Davey, J.B. Power, P. Hedden, A.L. Phillips |
| Keywords: | Agrobacterium transformation, gibberellin 20-, 3-, 2-oxidases, Solanum nigrum, Nicotiana sylvestris, CaMV 35S and tissue-specific promoters |
| Abstract:
Global production of ornamental plants is increasing each year with fierce competition between producers, stimulated by increasing consumer demand. Innovations are required in terms of new products at competitive prices to attract consumers. Thus, the industry is under constant pressure to create novel traits. Manipulating the concentration of endogenous growth regulators, such as gibberellins (GAs), in plants can potentially modify shoot architecture. In this investigation, genes from the GA metabolic pathway have been expressed ectopically using the CaMV 35S constitutive promoter in Solanum nigrum and Nicotiana sylvestris. Plants showed statistically significant alteration to their architecture (t-test at 0.01 probability). The feasibility of using tissue-specific promoters was also evaluated in relation to the modification of stature. The technology may lead to decreased dependence on chemical growth regulators, over which there are concerns in relation to human health and potential environmental consequences. | |
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