Diurnal down-regulation of ethylene biosynthesis mediates biomass heterosis.

ABSTRACT: Heterosis is widely applied in agriculture; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms for superior performance are not well understood. Ethylene biosynthesis and signaling genes are shown to be down-regulated in Arabidopsis interspecific hybrids. Ethylene is a plant hormone that promotes fruit ripening and maturation but inhibits hypocotyl elongation. Here we report that application of exogenous ethylene could eliminate biomass vigor in Arabidopsis thaliana F1 hybrids, suggesting a negative role of ethylene in heterosis. Ethylene biosynthesis is mediated by the rate-limiting enzyme, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS). Down-regulation of ACS genes led to the decrease of ethylene production, which was associated with the high-vigor F1 hybrids, but not with the low-vigor ones

SUBMITTER: Song Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6003462 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature