Abstract
Fig trees (Ficus carica L.) are commonly grown in the Mediterranean area, where salinity is an increasing problem in coastal areas. Young, fruiting plants of cv. Dottato were subjected to moderate salt stress (100 mM NaCl added to irrigation water) for 48 days before fruit sampling. To clarify the effect of salinity stress, we investigated changes in the transcription of the main sugar metabolism-related genes involved in the synthesis, accumulation and transport of soluble carbohydrates in ripe fruits by quantitative real-time PCR as well as the content of soluble sugars by quantitative 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A general increase in the transcript levels of genes involved in the transport of soluble carbohydrates was observed. Alkaline-neutral and Acid Invertases transcripts, related to the synthesis of glucose and fructose, were up-regulated in ripe fruits of NaCl-stressed plants without a change in the content of D-glucose and D-fructose. The increases in sucrose and D-sorbitol contents were likely the result of the up-regulation of the transcription of Sucrose-Synthase- and Sorbitol-Dehydrogenase-encoding genes.
Highlights
Fig trees (Ficus carica L., Moraceae) are widely grown in the Mediterranean area for the consumption of fresh or dry fruits
We investigated the salinity-mediated changes in the expression of three different genes encoding sucrose transporters, including Sucrose Transporter (SUCT), Sucrose Transporter 4 Like (SUCTPR) and Sucrose Transporter 2 Isoform 1 (SUCT2IS1)
We detected the transcript levels of Sorbitol Transporter (SORT) and Probable Mannitol Transporter (MANT) genes, which were higher in the pulp of the NaCl-stressed plants than in control ones (Figure 1D,E)
Summary
Fig trees (Ficus carica L., Moraceae) are widely grown in the Mediterranean area for the consumption of fresh or dry fruits. 1.3 million tonnes, with an increasing trend over the last three years. Its ‘brebas’ (the first crop) are harvested between the end of June and the beginning of July, while the syconia fruit of the main crop (‘forniti’) are harvested from early August to late September [5]. This cultivar showed moderate resilience to salinity [8,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
