Ecological adaptations to seasonal changes are often observed in the phenotypic traits of plants and animals, and these adaptations are usually expressed through the production of different biochemical end products. In this study, ecological adaptations are observed in a biochemical pathway without alteration of the end products. We present an alternative principal pathway to the characteristic...

Flowering is a critical step in fructification. No flowers mean no fruit, and when flower number is low crop load may be limited by the number of flowers formed. In most cases, however, citrus trees form a number of flowers exceedingly higher than the final number of fruits harvested, which usually is a very low percentage of the initial flower number. As in other species which form a large amo...

Developing new ornamental cultivars with improved floral attributes is a major goal in floriculture. Biotechnological approach together with classical breeding methods has been used to modify floral color, appearance as well as for increasing disease resistance. Transgenic strategies possess immense potential to produce novel flower phenotypes that are not found in nature. Adoption of Genetic e...

During floral induction and flower development plants undergo delicate phase changes which are under tight molecular control. MADS-box transcription factors have been shown to play pivotal roles during these transition phases. SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) and AGAMOUS LIKE 24 (AGL24) are important regulators both during the transition to flowering and during flower development. During vegetative...

In vivo changes in the cytosolic pH of abscission zone (AZ) cells were visualized using confocal microscopic detection of the fluorescent pH-sensitive and intracellularly trapped dye, 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), driven by its acetoxymethyl ester. A specific and gradual increase in the cytosolic pH of AZ cells was observed during natural abscission of flower o...

The demand for saffron is expected to rise in the coming years due its nutraceutical and medicinal properties. To cope with this, it will be necessary develop a mechanised production of saffron. Upgrading methods requires accurate control flowering time this species. Nevertheless, little known about Crocus sativus L. aim study gain insight into floral induction regulatory networks operating A t...

To study the early steps of flower initiation and development in grapevine (Vitis vinifera), we have isolated two MADS-box genes, VFUL-L and VAP1, the putative FUL-like and AP1 grapevine orthologs, and analyzed their expression patterns during vegetative and reproductive development. Both genes are expressed in lateral meristems that, in grapevine, can give rise to either inflorescences or tend...

BACKGROUND Plant-based traditional system of medicine continues to play an important role in healthcare. In order to find new potent source of bioactive molecules, we studied the cytotoxic activity of the essential oils from the flowers and leaves of Callistemon citrinus. This is the first report on anticancer potential of essential oils of C. citrinus. METHODS Cytotoxicity of essential oil w...