Abstract

Boreal and temperate woody perennials are highly adapted to their local climate, which delimits the length of the growing period. Moreover, seasonal control of growth-dormancy cycles impacts tree productivity and geographical distribution. Therefore, traits related to phenology are of great interest to tree breeders and particularly relevant in the context of global warming. The recent application of transcriptional profiling and genetic association studies to poplar species has provided a robust molecular framework for investigating molecules with potential links to phenology. The environment dictates phenology by modulating the expression of endogenous molecular switches, the identities of which are currently under investigation. This review outlines the current knowledge of these molecular switches in poplar and covers several perspectives concerning the environmental control of growth-dormancy cycles. In the process, we highlight certain genetic pathways which are affected by short days, low temperatures and cold-induced signaling.

Keywords

poplar; adaptive response; cold response; circadian clock; short day; low ambient temperature; bud set; winter dormancy

Published in

Frontiers in Plant Science
2018, Volume: 9, article number: 1873
Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

SLU Authors

• Prakash, Jay

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bhalerao, Rishikesh P.

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics
Botany


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01873

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/97579