Insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying responses of apple trees to abiotic stresses

Abstract

Apple (Malus 𝗑 domestica) is a popular temperate fruit crop worldwide. However, its growth, productivity, and quality are often adversely affected by abiotic stresses such as drought, extreme temperature, and high salinity. Due to the long juvenile phase and highly heterozygous genome, the conventional breeding approaches for stress-tolerant cultivars are time-consuming and resource-intensive. These issues may be resolved by feasible molecular breeding techniques for apples, such as gene editing and marker-assisted selection. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire a more comprehensive comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underpinning apples' response to abiotic stress. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress in the molecular response of apples to abiotic stressors, including the gene expression regulation, protein modifications, and epigenetic modifications. We also provide updates on new approaches for improving apple abiotic stress tolerance, while discuss current challenges and future perspectives for apple molecular breeding.

Phenomics and transcriptomic profiling of fruit development in distinct apple varieties

“…Phenotype data, encompassing the observable traits and characteristics of an organism, are crucial for establishing the link between gene expression and the phenotype. The association between gene expression and phenotypic variation constitutes a critical area of genetics study and molecular breeding, as it provides insight into the molecular basis of desirable traits 9 . By integrating gene expression data with phenotypic information, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to an organism’s observable features 2 , 3 .…”