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In spite of numerous studies on the process of apple flower bud formation some events, particularly genetic control of transition to reproductive development, have not been investigated in details. In the last two decades several genes such as SQUA/AP1 and FLO/LFY, related to flower initiation and development in the model angiosperm species Antirrhinum majus and Arabidopsis thaliana have been indentified and characterized. Lately, homologues/orthologues of these genes, MdMADS1-MdMADS11, MdAP1, AFL, AFL1 and AFL2, have been isolated from apple. Their temporal and special expression suggests that they may play central roles in development of floral meristem, flower organs and/or fruits of apple. Special attention has been paid to the apple gene MdTFL1, highly homologous to Arabidopsis TEL1, which maintains the identity of inflorescence meristem. Using transgenic approach it is possible to suppress TFL1-like genes, that delay flowering and to reduce the juvenile phase in woody plants, including apple.

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