Abstract
In cereals, the transition from the vegetative stage to flowering is controlled in the main by the set of vernalization genes. Within these genes the most important role is played by VRN1, which encodes a MADS-box transcription factor, regulating the transition of shoot apical meristem to the reproductive phase. The level of vernalization requirement is strongly linked to the molecular structure of this gene. In this study we analyzed molecular mechanisms regulating the vernalization requirement in triticale on the basis of comparative analysis of the VRN1 locus between triticale (×Triticosecale Witt.) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. We also estimated the influence of VRN genotype on heading time and the winter hardiness of these two species. Molecular markers developed for VRN genotype detection in common wheat were successfully applied to an analysis of triticale genomic DNA. Subsequent analysis of the amplicons nucleotide sequence confirmed full similarity of the products obtained between triticale and common wheat. All winter triticale cultivars tested contained the recessive vrn-A1 allele, whereas all spring genotypes carried the dominant Vrn-A1a allele. Molecular analysis of the Vrn-B1 gene revealed the presence of the dominant Vrn-B1b allele in only one of the triticale genotypes analyzed (Legalo). The major system of determination of the vernalization requirement in triticale was transferred from common wheat without changes and is based on an alteration in the VRN1 gene promoter sequence within the A genome.
Highlights
The time of flowering is one of the most important adaptive traits for cereals since it has to be harmonized with favorable climatic conditions
The growth habit of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is determined by three genes VERNALIZATION 1 (VRN1), VRN2 and VRN3 located in the middle of the long arms of chromosomes 5A, 5B, and 5D (Dubcovsky et al, 1998; Barrett et al, 2002; Trevaskis et al, 2007; Distelfeld et al, 2009)
This study aimed to identify and molecularly characterize the VRN1 gene in the genetic background of triticale (×Triticosecale Witt.)
Summary
The time of flowering is one of the most important adaptive traits for cereals since it has to be harmonized with favorable climatic conditions. Induction of flowering and time of its initiation are regulated together by environmental cues (period of low temperature activity, day length) and endogenous pathways (plant developmental state) (Amasino and Michaels, 2010). Plant flowering is regulated by a comprehensive genetic system. Two main groups of genes involved in this process in cereals are genes responsible for reaction to low temperature treatment (vernalization) described as VRN, and for reaction to day length (photoperiod) stated PPD (Distelfeld et al, 2009). The vernalization process on a molecular level is well known for the most important crops like barley and wheat. A detailed description of the functional connections of the vernalization genes of cereals have been presented in many papers (e.g. Yan et al, 2003; Yan et al, 2004a; Yan et al, 2006; Trevaskis et al, 2007; Distelfeld et al, 2009; Trevaskis, 2010)
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