Molecular and physiological regulation of adventitious root formation in Petunia cuttings in response to nutrient supply and dark exposure

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The vegetative propagation of ornamental plants depends on adventitious root formation (ARF) in cuttings, which is related to economic losses in horticulture. Based on the established microarray for transcriptome studies, a biochemical and a transformation platform, Petunia will be used to investigate the molecular physiological regulation behind environmental modulation of ARF in shoot tip cuttings. The concept relies on the fact that ARF depends on establishment of the new sink in the stem base and is restricted by competition with the shoot apex for assimilate and nutrient provision. Leaves are considered as potential source organs and auxin is expected to be a key factor. Project part A follows the hypotheses, that high nitrogen supply to donor plants and dark exposure of cuttings promote ARF by enhanced nitrogen remobilization within the cutting and enhanced translocation and accumulation of the signalling molecules auxin and nitric oxide. In part B it is hypothesized that ARF is restricted by phase specific deficiency of macro- and microelements, which can be met by targeted nutrient supply to the stem base during certain developmental stages. In particular, the role of nitrate and urea in homeostasis of phytohormones is regarded. In both project parts, analysis of auxin and cytokinin levels by GC- and LC-MS/MS will be complemented by histochemical localization of auxin activity via the DR5 auxin reporter. The regulatory role of components will be verified by physiological and pharmacological treatments and in transgenic Petunia with a modified expression of candidate genes.