Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis reveals the mechanisms underlying leaf variegation in 'Gonggan' mandarin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The 'Gonggan' mandarin, an elite local cultivar from Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, combines the qualities of mandarin and sweet orange. A leaf-variegated mutant enhances its ornamental and economic value, providing an excellent model for studying chloroplast development and photosynthetic pigment metabolism in citrus.

Results

We found that, in this variegated mutant, chloroplasts are severely deficient or absent in mesophyll cells. Physiological assessments revealed lower levels of chlorophyll, carotenoids, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and stomatal conductance (Gs), alongside significantly higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN), reflecting increased photoprotective energy dissipation. To uncover the mole

SUBMITTER: Shi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11998453 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature