Transcriptional dynamics in source‐sink tissues identifies molecular factors regulating the corm development process in saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

• DOI: 10.1111/ppl.14285
• Publication Date: 2024-04-12T11:06:07Z
• Authors: Joel Jose‐Santhi; Firdous Rasool Sh...; Diksha Kalia; Riya Sood; Ravi Kumar; Vishal Acharya; Rajesh Kumar Singh
• Keywords: Corm; Strigolactone

Abstract Aims Geophytic plants have evolved to develop underground storage organs (USO) in the active growing season withstand harsh environments as well coordinate growth and reproduction when conditions are favourable. Saffron is an autumn flowering geophyte expensive spice crop restricted certain geographical locations world. Saffron, being sterile, does not produce seeds thus propagates only through corms, quality of which determines its yield. Corm development saffron unexplored underlying molecular mechanism still elusive. In this study, we performed extensive characterisation transcriptional dynamics source (leaf) sink (corm) tissues during corm saffron. Key results Via morphological transcriptome studies, identified factors regulating process saffron, defined into three stages: initiation stage demonstrates enhanced vegetative aboveground swelling shoot base belowground due cell division & carbohydrate storage; bulking comprises increased strength, photosynthesis, circadian gating starch accumulation; maturation represents reduced lowered sugar transport, synthesis cycle arrest. Utility The global view changes identifies similar new involved compared USO formation other geophytes provides a valuable resource for dissecting network development. We propose hypothetical model based on data analysis, how via environmental cues can regulate