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Differential expression of VRN1 and other MADS-box genes in Festuca pratensis selections with different vernalization requirements

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Biologia Plantarum

Abstract

Most perennial and winter annual temperate grasses have a vernalization requirement (VR) for flowering, that is, they require a cold period before they can flower in response to long days. From a F1 mapping population of the outbreeding perennial forage grass Festuca pratensis Huds. (meadow fescue) previously used to map several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for VR, we produced two F2 populations divergently selected for high or low VR. The two populations were characterised for flowering behaviour and gene expression of VRN1 as well as other MADS-box genes with a putative function in the induction of flowering. Expression of FpVRN1 and the VRN1-like genes FpMADS2 and FpMADS3 was associated with flowering but the response of gene expression to vernalization differed between genes and populations. The expression of the SVP-like genes FpMADS10 and FpMADS16 was not affected by vernalization and did not differ between the two F2 populations.

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Abbreviations

DTH:

days to heading

FUL:

FRUITFULL

GAPDH:

GLYCERALDEHYDE 3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE

PCR:

polymerase chain reaction

PHS:

proportion of heading shoots

QTL:

quantitative trait loci

RT:

reverse transcription

SNP:

single nucleotide polymorphism

SVP:

SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE

VR:

vernalization requirement

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Author notes

  1. H. Hamland

    Present address: , Norsvin, Pb 504, N-2305, Hamar, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, N-1432, Ås, Norway

    Å. Ergon & O. A. Rognli

  2. Dept. of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway

    H. Hamland

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  1. Å. Ergon
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  3. O. A. Rognli
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Correspondence to Å. Ergon.

Additional information

Acknowledgements: The study was financed by the Research Council of Norway (grant No. 140986/110). Øyvind Jørgensen maintained the plant material and provided skilful assistance with the greenhouse experiments.

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Ergon, Å., Hamland, H. & Rognli, O.A. Differential expression of VRN1 and other MADS-box genes in Festuca pratensis selections with different vernalization requirements. Biol Plant 57, 245–254 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-012-0283-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10535-012-0283-z

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