Parthenocarpy in Summer Squash

Robinson, R. W.; Reiners, Stephen

doi:10.21273/hortsci.34.4.715

Cited by 31 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The initiation of fruit development and seed set depends on successful stigma pollination and subsequent double fertilization in the ovule (Gillaspy et al 1993); whereas, seeds are undesirable in many fruits, particularly if they have a hard or leathery texture, bitter taste, or if they accumulate toxic compounds (Varoquaux et al 2000). The parthenocarpy, fertilization-independent fruit set, results in seedless fruit (Fos and Nuez 1997;Robinson and Reiners 1999;Talon et al 1992;Varoquaux et al 2000) and can prevent low fruit set that could occur if fertilization were compromised by adverse environmental conditions (Gorguet et al 2005). Parthenocarpy has been exploited by farmers to produce Abstract Parthenocarpic fruit is a very attractive trait for consumers and especially in eggplants where seeds can lead to browning of the flesh and bitterness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SmARF8, a transcription factor involved in parthenocarpy in eggplant

Bao

et al. 2015

Mol Genet Genomics

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Parthenocarpic fruit is a very attractive trait for consumers and especially in eggplants where seeds can lead to browning of the flesh and bitterness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying parthenocarpy in eggplant still remain unknown. Some auxin response factors have been previously shown in model species, such as Arabidopsis and tomato, to play an important role in such a process. Here, we have identified a natural parthenocarpic mutant and showed that ARF8 from eggplant (SmARF8), is down-regulated in buds compared to wild-type plants. Further characterization of SmARF8 showed that it is a nuclear protein and an active transcriptional regulator. We determined that amino acids 629-773 of SmARF8 act as the transcriptional activation domain, the C terminus of SmARF8 is the protein-binding domain, and that SmARF8 might form homodimers. Expression analysis in eggplant showed that SmARF8 is expressed ubiquitously in all tissues and organs and is responsive to auxin. Eggplant transgenic lines harboring RNA interference of SmARF8 exhibited parthenocarpy in unfertilized flowers, suggesting that SmARF8 negatively regulates fruit initiation. Interestingly, SmARF8-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines also induced parthenocarpy. These results indicate that SmARF8 could affect the dimerization of auxin/indole acetic acid repressors with SmARF8 via domains III and IV and thus induce fruit development. Furthermore, the introduction of SmARF8 full-length cDNA could partially complement the parthenocarpic phenotypes in Arabidopsis arf8-1 and arf8-4 mutants. Collectively, our results demonstrate that SmARF8 may act as a key negative regulator involved in parthenocarpic fruit development of eggplant. These findings give more insights into the conserved mechanisms leading to parthenocarpy in which auxin signaling plays a pivotal role, and provide potential target for eggplant breeding.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SmARF8, a transcription factor involved in parthenocarpy in eggplant

Bao

et al. 2015

Mol Genet Genomics

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“…For example, 66% of sweet pepper varieties (Honda et al . ) and 33% of squash varieties examined (Robinson & Reiners ) were found to set parthenocarpic fruit. Although an effective method, selective breeding has its limitations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, evidence suggests that some parthenocarpic plants may still produce a greater quantity and quality [including higher sugar content (Hayata et al . ; Shin, Park & Kim )] of fruits when pollinated by insects (Robinson & Reiners ; Martínez et al . ; Nicodemo et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…), papaya (Rimberia et al . ) and summer squash (Robinson & Reiners ; Kurtar ) varieties have all been shown to increase productivity. More recently, scientists have focused on genetic engineering approaches for parthenocarpic fruit set, through modification of auxin synthesis (iaaM), auxin sensitivity (rolB), auxin content (Aucsia), auxin signal transduction (iAA9 or ARF8) and gibberellin signal transduction (DELLA) (reviewed in Pandolfini ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Re‐evaluating strategies for pollinator‐dependent crops: How useful is parthenocarpy?

Knapp

Bartlett

Osborne

2016

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary Whilst most studies reviewing the reliance of global agriculture on insect pollination advocate increasing the ‘supply’ of pollinators (wild or managed) to improve crop yields, there has been little focus on altering a crop's ‘demand’ for pollinators.Parthenocarpy (fruit set in the absence of fertilization) is a trait which can increase fruit quantity and quality from pollinator‐dependent crops by removing the need for pollination.Here we present a meta‐analysis of studies examining the extent and effectiveness of parthenocarpy‐promoting techniques (genetic modification, hormone application and selective breeding) currently being used commercially, or experimentally, on pollinator‐dependent crops in different test environments (no pollination, hand pollination, open pollination).All techniques significantly increased fruit quantity and quality in 18 pollinator‐dependent crop species (not including seed and nut crops as parthenocarpy causes seedlessness). The degree to which plants experienced pollen limitation in the different test environments could not be ascertained, so the absolute effect of parthenocarpy relative to optimal pollination could not be determined. Synthesis and applications. Parthenocarpy has the potential to lower a crop's demand for pollinators, whilst extending current geographic and climatic ranges of production. Thus, growers may wish to use parthenocarpic crop plants, in combination with other environmentally considerate practices, to improve food security and their economic prospects.

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“…Fruit development without pollination has been reported in C. pepo (summer squash), but appears to be suppressed at temperatures of 20 °C and above (Robinson and Reiners, 1999;Rylski, 1974). Selection of lines with increased parthenocarpic tendency is thus not likely to be useful to improve high temperature fruit production in pumpkin.…”

Section: Parametermentioning

confidence: 99%

Flowering, Sex Expression, and Fruiting of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) Cultivars under Various Temperatures in Greenhouse and Distant Field Trials

Wien¹,

Stapleton²,

Maynard³

et al. 2004

HortSci

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Field production of decorative pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo L.) in New York occasionally results in markedly delayed fruit production in spite of normal vine growth. These episodes of fruitlessness appear to be associated with periods of high temperatures. To determine the link between temperature and pumpkin flowering and fruiting, a series of multilocational field trials and confirmatory greenhouse experiments were carried out. The field trials were conducted in the summer seasons of 1996 and 1997 in Ithaca and Albany, N.Y.; Queenstown, Md.; and Bradenton, Fla.; and in Ithaca and Bradenton in 1998. Mean growing season temperatures were 20, 21, 24 and 28 °C, respectively, at the four locations in 1996 and 1997. Delay in fruit formation was indicated by the main stem node number at which the first fruit developed. In Ithaca and Albany, the six cultivars formed their first fruit at node 17, but fruit production shifted to node 24 at Queenstown, and to node 26 or more at Bradenton. The prolonged delay in fruiting at the warmest site resulted in a 74% decrease in total yield of the C. pepo cultivars in 1996 and 1997, compared to Ithaca and Queenstown. In contrast, the yields and yield components of the C. maxima cultivar Prizewinner were similar at all four sites. Greenhouse trials in which `Howden' and `Baby Bear' were grown at 32/27, 25/20, and 20/15 °C confirmed that high temperatures delay formation and anthesis of female flowers. This and other published work indicates that there are genetic differences in susceptibility to high temperature flower delay that could be exploited to improve pumpkin performance.

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Parthenocarpy in Summer Squash

Cited by 31 publications

References 12 publications

SmARF8, a transcription factor involved in parthenocarpy in eggplant

SmARF8, a transcription factor involved in parthenocarpy in eggplant

Re‐evaluating strategies for pollinator‐dependent crops: How useful is parthenocarpy?

Flowering, Sex Expression, and Fruiting of Pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.) Cultivars under Various Temperatures in Greenhouse and Distant Field Trials

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