Abstract
Bud dormancy of deciduous fruit trees is a complex process that allows trees to survive long periods in adverse conditions during winter. Dormancy is a major obstacle for both fruit production in mild winter areas and off-season culture of fruit trees in protection facilities. It is very economically advantageous to be able to control the time point of bud break and consequently harvest in crops with high returns and short harvest seasons like blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Hydrogen cyanamide (H2CN2 (HC)) treatment is an effective method to promote dormancy release and synchronize bud break in perennial deciduous fruit trees, including blueberry. However, there are few systematic studies of the metabolic changes that occur during HC-induced bud breaking. In this study, the metabolome of blueberry buds under forced conditions following HC and water treatment (control) was analyzed using gas chromatography paired with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOFMS) technology. A total of 252 metabolites were identified and 16 differential metabolites (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) were detected. The levels of several soluble sugars (fructose, glucose, maltose), organic acids (citric acid, alpha-ketoglutaric, succinic acid), and amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanine) were upregulated, while tyrosine, tryptophan, and asparagine were significantly downregulated in HC-treated buds when compared with control buds. The synthesis and accumulation of phenylpropanoids (salicin, 4-vinylphenol, neohesperidin) were also promoted by HC. These results suggest that alteration of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle increase, and phenylpropanoid accumulation were crucial in HC-promoted bud breaking in blueberry. This research extends our understanding of the mechanisms involved in dormancy release induced by HC and provides a theoretical basis for applying HC to accelerate bud break.
Highlights
Published: 7 January 2021Bud dormancy of deciduous fruit trees is a complex process that allows trees to survive in adverse conditions during winter [1]
The synthesis and accumulation of phenylpropanoids were promoted by hydrogen cyanamide (HC). These results suggest that alteration of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle increase, and phenylpropanoid accumulation were crucial in HC-promoted bud breaking in blueberry
Phenylpropanoids are a variety of organic compounds that are synthesized by plants from phenylalanine
Summary
Bud dormancy of deciduous fruit trees is a complex process that allows trees to survive in adverse conditions during winter [1]. Warm winters result in reduced and irregular bud break, which lead to reduced fruit production [2]. Off-season culture of fruit trees in protection facilities requires controllable and synchronized bud break to obtain more economic benefit. Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is an important perennial fruit crop and is very popular worldwide due to its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. The short and concentrated harvest season of blueberries make it difficult to achieve a year-round supply of fresh fruits. It is very economically advantageous to be able to control the time point of bud break and harvest in crops with high returns like blueberry
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
