Author(s): CATTANI, A. M.; SARTOR, T.; FALAVIGNA, V. da S.; PORTO, D. D.; SILVEIRA, C. P.; OLIVEIRA, P. R. D. de; REVERS, L. F.

Summary: In perennial plants, the release of bud dormancy, with subsequentflowering, resemblesthe vernalization process ofArabidopsis thalianaand cereals. Especially for perennialcrops from temperate regions, dormancy is an important adaptive trait for both survivaland growth. Exposure to sufficient chilling during winter dormancy ensures the normalphenological traits in subsequent growing periods. Here, we compile research data onmechanisms controlling the overlapping developmental processes that definedormancy induction, maintenance and release, bud burst andflowering. Recentfind-ings highlight the relevance of genome-wide epigenetic modifications related todormancy events, and more specifically the epigenetic regulation ofDORMANCY-ASSO-CIATED MADS-box,FLOWERING LOCUS CandFLOWERING LOCUS Tgenes, key integratorsof vernalization effectors onflowering. The roles of plant growth regulators in control-ling bud break andflowering are discussed in relation to epigenetic mechanisms.A growing body of knowledge demonstrates that epigenetic regulation plays a keyrole in these processes in perennial horticultural and forestry plants. We discuss themost relevant molecular and genomics research that contribute to better understand-ing of the dormancy process and pave the way to precise manipulation of dormancy-related horticultural traits, such asflowering time. Finally, some of the challenges forfurther research in bud dormancy and consequences in agriculture are discussed withinthe context of global climate change.

Publication year: 2019

Types of publication: Book sections

Unit: Embrapa Grape & Wine

Keywords: Chromatin, Dormancy, Epigenetics, Flowering