In temperate and boreal ecosystems, seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy allow perennial plants to adapt to winter conditions. We show, in hybrid aspen trees, that photoperiodic regulation of dormancy is mechanistically distinct from autumnal growth cessation. Dormancy sets in when symplastic intercellular communication through plasmodesmata is blocked by a process dependent on the phytohormone abscisic acid. The communication blockage prevents growth-promoting signals from accessing the meristem. Thus, precocious growth is disallowed during dormancy. The dormant period, which supports robust survival of the aspen tree in winter, is due to loss of access to growth-promoting signals.

In boreal and temperate ecosystems, temperature signal regulates the reactivation of growth (bud break) in perennials in the spring. Molecular basis of temperature-mediated control of bud break is poorly understood. Here we identify a genetic network mediating the control of bud break in hybrid aspen. The key components of this network are transcription factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE-LIKE (SVL), closely related to Arabidopsis floral repressor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE, and its downstream target TCP18, a tree homolog of a branching regulator in Arabidopsis. SVL and TCP18 are downregulated by low temperature. Genetic evidence demonstrates their role as negative regulators of bud break. SVL mediates bud break by antagonistically acting on gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways, which function as positive and negative regulators of bud break, respectively. Thus, our results reveal the mechanistic basis for temperature-cued seasonal control of a key phenological event in perennial plants.

Highlights d SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE ortholog SVL mediates photoperiodic control of dormancy d SVL acts downstream of ABA in dormancy regulation d SVL promotes dormancy by suppressing the growthpromotive gibberellic acid pathway d SVL activates CALLOSE SYNTHASE expression, a key mediator of plasmodesmatal closure

In perennial plants, seasonal shifts provide cues that control adaptive growth patterns of the shoot apex. However, where these seasonal cues are sensed and communicated to the shoot apex remains unknown. We demonstrate that systemic signals from leaves play key roles in seasonal control of shoot growth in model tree hybrid aspen. Grafting experiments reveal that the tree ortholog of Arabidopsis flowering time regulator FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and the plant hormone gibberellic acid (GA) systemically convey seasonal cues to the shoot apex. GA (unlike FT) also acts locally in shoot apex, downstream of FT in seasonal growth control. At the shoot apex, antagonistic factors—LAP1, a target of FT and the FT antagonist TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1)—act locally to promote and suppress seasonal growth, respectively. These data reveal seasonal changes perceived in leaves that are communicated to the shoot apex by systemic signals that, in concert with locally acting components, control adaptive growth patterns.

Highlights d BRANCHED 1 (BRC1) is a photoperiodically controlled seasonal growth regulator d BRC1 interacts with and antagonizes FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in hybrid aspen d BRC1 is a component of a negative feedback loop controlling seasonal growth

Summary Trees cover vast areas of the Earth’s landmasses. They mitigate erosion, capture carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and support biodiversity, and also are a source of food, raw materials and energy for human populations. Understanding the growth cycles of trees is fundamental for many areas of research. Trees, like most other organisms, have evolved a circadian clock to synchronize their growth and development with the daily and seasonal cycles of the environment. These regular changes in light, daylength and temperature are perceived via a range of dedicated receptors and cause resetting of the circadian clock to local time. This allows anticipation of daily and seasonal fluctuations and enables trees to co-ordinate their metabolism and physiology to ensure vital processes occur at the optimal times. In this review we explore the current state of knowledge concerning the regulation of growth and seasonal dormancy in trees, using information drawn from model systems such as Populus spp.

Shoot architecture is critical for optimizing plant adaptation and productivity. In contrast with annuals, branching in perennials native to temperate and boreal regions must be coordinated with seasonal growth cycles. How branching is coordinated with seasonal growth is poorly understood. We identified key components of the genetic network that controls branching and its regulation by seasonal cues in the model tree hybrid aspen. Our results demonstrate that branching and its control by seasonal cues is mediated by mutually antagonistic action of aspen orthologs of the flowering regulatorsTERMINAL FLOWER 1(TFL1) andAPETALA1(LIKE APETALA 1/LAP1).LAP1promotes branching through local action in axillary buds.LAP1acts in a cytokinin-dependent manner, stimulating expression of the cell-cycle regulatorAIL1and suppressingBRANCHED1expression to promote branching. Short photoperiod and low temperature, the major seasonal cues heralding winter, suppress branching by simultaneous activation ofTFL1and repression of theLAP1pathway. Our results thus reveal the genetic network mediating control of branching and its regulation by environmental cues facilitating integration of branching with seasonal growth control in perennial trees.

Objective: To evaluate the computational biomechanical analysis of intra-articular calcaneal fractures with different fixation status of the sustentaculum plate screw, when the finite element modeling of calcaneal fractures were fixed by the lateral locking plate. Methods:The normal right foot of a male (age: 36 years; height: 174 cm; body weight: 65 kg) was scanned by the CT scanner. As the computational biomechanical study, the three-dimensional finite element model of the simplified Sanders type-II calcaneal fracture was built. Fixation with the lateral calcaneal locking plate and screws was simulated using a finite element software package according to clinical operation. According to the different placement of the sustentaculum plate screw, the models were categorized as the accurate fixation group, marginal fixation group, and non-fixation group. The loading of 650 N with the vertical axial compression was applied to simulate the standing phase with single foot. The Von Mises stress distribution, maximal displacement, and contact area of the subtalar joint were analyzed among three groups. Results:The pressure distribution of the subtalar joint facet was inhomogeneous. The stress concentration of the calcaneus was located at the medial zone of the posterior subtalar joint facet. The peak Von Mises stress distribution in three groups was similar at the subtalar joint facet of 4.9 MPa, 5.1 MPa, and 5.4 MPa. In the accurate fixation group, the contact area on the posterior articular facet was 277.1 mm 2 ; the maximal displacement was 0.18 mm. The contact area of the marginal fixation group was 265.3 mm 2 on the posterior facet, where the maximal displacement was 0.23 mm. In the non-fixation group, the contact area was 253.8 mm 2 ; the maximal displacement was 0.25 mm. There was a slight change in the contact area of the subtalar joint and no prominent displacement of the calcaneus could be detected among the three groups. Conclusions:The biomechanical results, including the peak stress distribution, contact area, and maximal displacement of subtalar joint, were similar whether the screw is placed exactly within the sustentaculum tali or not, when the calcaneal fractures were fixed by the lateral locking plate. The sustentaculum plate screw had less effect on the biomechanical performance of the calcaneus.