Increased Flower Longevity in Petunia with Male Sterility

Abstract

<jats:p>Flower longevity is an important character in many ornamental crops. The processes of pollination and fertilization can cause senescence of the petals through the action of ethylene or its precursors. Preventing the production of pollen and therefore pollination could delay the senescence of petals. We tested whether male-sterility would increase flower longevity in petunia. The gene consisted of a stamen-specific promoter isolated from a <jats:italic>Lycopersicon esculentum</jats:italic> gene driving the expression of a barnase. Barnase is a RNase that is cytotoxic. The gene was introduced into `Lavender Storm' and `Purple Wave' petunia by <jats:italic>Agrobacterium-</jats:italic> mediated gene transfer. Five independent transgenic lines of both cultivars were regenerated, rooted, and grown in a greenhouse. All lines showed complete male-sterility as measured by the lack of detectable pollen. Two transgenic lines and a non-transformed control of each cultivar were propagated vegetatively and the flower longevity of each genotype was determined in a greenhouse experiment. There were two treatments: no pollination or pollination with cross-compatible pollen. All sterile genotypes that were not pollinated had increased flower longevity relative to pollinated sterile flowers or either treatment of male fertile (non-transformed) genotypes. These results indicate an application for sterility in the production of petunia flowers with increased longevity. Male and female sterility may be applicable in other ornamental crops where pollination or fertilization is a trigger to petal senescence.</jats:p>

Thidiazuron: an efficient plant growth regulator for enhancing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in Petunia hybrida

“…Thus, the tools of biotechnology including genetic transformation would aid in achieving some of these objectives. So far, transgenic petunia plants with some desirable traits have been developed (Verdonk et al 2008;Smith et al 2004;Shibuya et al 2004;Kim et al 1995). Moreover, petunia is ranked as one of the model plants for various studies such as self-incompatibility, floral development, flavonoid biosynthesis, male sterility, transposons, and retroelement activity (Gerats and Vandenbussche 2005).…”

Identification of a Male Sterile Candidate Gene in Lilium x formolongi and Transfer of the Gene to Easter Lily (L. longiflorum) via Hybridization

“…Male sterility (pollen-free) benefits the ornamental crops (Smith et al, 2004 ; García-Sogo et al, 2010 ; Roque et al, 2019 ). Pollen is problematic in the case of flower arrangement since it stains perianths, clothes, etc.…”

Interspecific Hybridization in Plant Biology

“…L. × formolongi has been developed by the interspecific hybridization between the L. formosanum and L. longiflorum followed by continuous backcrossing with L. longiflorum. As a result, the progeny successfully combined broad leaves like L. longiflorum and the characteristics of L. formosanum blooming within a year after sowing the seeds (Shimizu, 1987). Commercial cultivars of L. × formolongi and L. longiflorum are propagated by seeds or bulbs, respectively.…”

“…Male sterility (pollen-free) benefits the ornamental crops (Smith et al, 2004;García-Sogo et al, 2010;Roque et al, 2019). Pollen is problematic in the case of flower arrangement since it stains perianths, clothes, etc.…”