A morphological study of flower initiation and development in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) using cryo‐scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

SummaryThe morphological changes in the apex of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cv. Elsanta during flower initiation and early development were studied by means of apical dissections and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Characteristic stages of development were recorded from the earliest discernible evidence of floral initiation until anthesis. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies of floral development in strawberry.

The FveFT2 florigen/FveTFL1 antiflorigen balance is critical for the control of seasonal flowering in strawberry while FveFT3 modulates axillary meristem fate and yield

“…To this end, we considered the meristem as vegetative when the apical dome was relatively flat and tended to be partially enclosed in the developing stipules of the youngest leaf. First indication of floral initiation was when the meristem dome raised above the developing stipules, and became broad and convex in shape (Taylor et al ., 1997) (Figs 1d, S1). This stage preceded the first indication of sepal development (Fig.…”

“…Vegetative or floral stage of the SAM was estimated using the scale adapted from Jahn & Dana (1970) and Taylor et al . (1997) (Supporting information Fig. S1) after dissecting 11–20 terminal buds for each genotype and sampling date.…”

Fruit misshapen in strawberry cultivars (Fragaria×ananassa) is related to achenes functionality

“…In conclusion, fruit malformation-causing factors, such as low temperatures, affect the functional integrity of either male or female reproductive structures by acting from pre-anthesis, when sporogenesis, gametogenesis and maturation of the reproductive structures occur (Taylor et al, 1997), until fruit development. However, the results of the present work are pointing out that pollen and embryo development are the most sensitive developmental stages to low temperatures, and both contribute fairly equally to the occurrence of MF.…”

Crown branching and cropping potential in strawberry (FragariaananassaDuch.) can be enhanced by daylength treatments

“…The identity of meristems in all main-crowns, crown branches and axillary buds was determined under a dissecting microscope. Meristems were classified as generative when the sepal initials were visible, as illustrated by Taylor et al (1997). In addition, crown meristems were graded as primary, secondary or tertiary meristems: the apical meristem of the main-crown was considered as the primary crown meristem and the axillary meristems of the main-crown and branch crowns were graded as secondary and tertiary crown meristems, respectively.…”