Functional characterization of Fe-dependent mechanisms promoting the stimulation of adventitious root formation in petunia cuttings
Plant Cultivation, Plant Nutrition, Agricultural Technology
Final Report Abstract
To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the inducing effect of Fe on adventitious root formation in petunia cuttings, several approaches were used. The combination of omics technologies, including metabolomics, hormonomics, and transcriptomics, led to the identification of specific genes and metabolites that determine the induction process for cell division and cell elongation in the meristematic zones of the stem base, ultimately leading to accelerated root formation. The 2-oxoglutarate dioxygenease (2DOG) gene was found to be the central switch site, which in turn regulated salicylic acid (SA) metabolism, which was found to be one of the most important metabolic processes affected by the presence of Fe. A decrease in SA led to an induction of cell division and cell elongation and thus to accelerated root formation. However, other regulated metabolic pathways such as translation, signal transduction, transport, and catabolism have also been identified. Several Fe-regulated genes have been identified that can be used to promote adventitious root formation in Petunia cuttings and related Solanaceae species.
