More Like this

1. Modular regulation of floral traits by a PRE1 homolog in Mimulus verbenaceus : implications for the role of pleiotropy in floral integration

   https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhac168  

   Chen, Hongfei; Xiao, Zheng; Ding, Baoqing; Diggle, Pamela K; Yuan, Yao-Wu (January 2022, Horticulture Research)

   Abstract Floral traits often show correlated variation within and among species. For species with fused petals, strong correlations among corolla tube, stamen, and pistil length are particularly prevalent, and these three traits are considered an intra-floral functional module. Pleiotropy has long been implicated in such modular integration of floral traits, but empirical evidence based on actual gene function is scarce. We tested the role of pleiotropy in the expression of intra-floral modularity in the monkeyflower species Mimulus verbenaceus by transgenic manipulation of a homolog of Arabidopsis PRE1. Downregulation of MvPRE1 by RNA interference resulted in simultaneous decreases in the lengths of corolla tube, petal lobe, stamen, and pistil, but little change in calyx and leaf lengths or organ width. Overexpression of MvPRE1 caused increased corolla tube and stamen lengths, with little effect on other floral traits. Our results suggest that genes like MvPRE1 can indeed regulate multiple floral traits in a functional module but meanwhile have little effect on other modules, and that pleiotropic effects of these genes may have played an important role in the evolution of floral integration and intra-floral modularity. 

   more » « less
2. QTL analysis of divergent floral morphology traits between Gilia yorkii and G. capitata

   https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkae106  

   DeTemple, Joseph M; Chitwood, Daniel H; Mosquera, Veronica; Whipple, Clinton J (May 2024, G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics)

   Whitehead, A (Ed.)

   Abstract Speciation is a complex process typically accompanied by significant genetic and morphological differences between sister populations. In plants, divergent floral morphologies and pollinator differences can result in reproductive isolation between populations. Here, we explore floral trait differences between two recently diverged species, Gilia yorkii and G. capitata. The distributions of floral traits in parental, F1, and F2 populations are compared, and groups of correlated traits are identified. We describe the genetic architecture of floral traits through a quantitative trait locus analysis using an F2 population of 187 individuals. While all identified quantitative trait locus were of moderate (10–25%) effect, interestingly, most quantitative trait locus intervals were non-overlapping, suggesting that, in general, traits do not share a common genetic basis. Our results provide a framework for future identification of genes involved in the evolution of floral morphology. 

   more » « less
3. Floral Microbes Suppress Growth of Monilinia laxa with Minimal Effects on Honey Bee Feeding

   https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-03-21-0549-RE  

   Crowley-Gall, Amber; Trouillas, Florent P.; Niño, Elina L.; Schaeffer, Robert N.; Nouri, Mohamed T.; Crespo, Maria; Vannette, Rachel L. (February 2022, Plant Disease)

   Management of Monilinia laxa, the causal agent of brown rot blossom blight in almond (Prunus dulcis), relies heavily on the use of chemical fungicides during bloom. However, chemical fungicides can have nontarget effects on beneficial arthropods, including pollinators, and select for resistance in the pathogen of concern. Almond yield is heavily reliant on successful pollination by healthy honey bees (Apis mellifera); thus, identifying sustainable, effective, and pollinator-friendly control methods for blossom blight during bloom is desirable. Flower-inhabiting microbes could provide a natural, sustainable form of biocontrol for M. laxa, while potentially minimizing costly nontarget effects on almond pollinators and the services they provide. As pollinators are sensitive to floral microbes and their associated taste and scent cues, assessing effects of prospective biocontrol species on pollinator attraction is also necessary. Here, our objective was to isolate and identify potential biocontrol microbes from an array of agricultural and natural flowering hosts and test their efficacy in suppressing M. laxa growth in culture. Out of an initial 287 bacterial and fungal isolates identified, 56 were screened using a dual culture plate assay. Most strains reduced M. laxa growth in vitro. Ten particularly effective candidate microbes were further screened for their effect on honey bee feeding. Of the 10, nine were found to both strongly suppress M. laxa growth in culture and not reduce honey bee feeding. These promising results suggest a number of strong candidates for augmentative microbial biocontrol of brown rot blossom blight in almond with potentially minimal effects on honey bee pollination. 

   more » « less
4. Inbreeding Reduces Floral Longevity and Flower Size in the Mixed-Mating Biennial Sabatia angularis

   https://doi.org/10.1086/724030  

   Spigler, Rachel B.; Charles, Annmarie (March 2023, International Journal of Plant Sciences)
5. Variation in floral volatiles across time, sexes, and populations of wind‐pollinated Schiedea globosa

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.1820  

   Powers, John M.; Sakai, Ann K.; Weller, Stephen G.; Campbell, Diane R. (February 2022, American Journal of Botany)