The effect of osmotic stress, lighting spectrum and temperature on growth and gene expression related to anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) in vitro

• Published in: Folia Horticulturae 2023-12, Vol.35 (2), p.419-431
• Main Authors: Vinskienė, Jurgita, Bendokas, Vidmantas, Stanys, Vidmantas, Sasnauskas, Audrius, Rugienius, Rytis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthocyanins; Biosynthesis; CHS gene; controlled conditions; Exposure; flavonoids; Fragaria vesca; Gene expression; Genes; growth; High temperature; Light effects; Light emitting diodes; Lighting; metabolism; Osmotic stress; pigmentation; stress; Sucrose; Ultraviolet radiation; Vitrification; Weight; Weight reduction
• ISSN: 2083-5965; 0867-1761; 2083-5965
• DOI: 10.2478/fhort-2023-0030

The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of light, temperature, sucrose and PEG on the growth of and the expression of regulatory and enzyme-coding genes and , which are essential for anthocyanin biosynthesis. We observed plants’ response to osmotic stress, the decrease in growth and microshoot weight. A change in the expression of the investigated genes was evident under the suboptimal concentration of sucrose. The addition of PEG to the medium caused a decrease in microshoot weight and gene expression. Blue + red lights of the LED lighting system significantly affected microshoot growth . Red and blue + red + UV lights slightly reduced microshoot weight and caused a reddish colour of petioles, which indicate increased anthocyanin synthesis. Moreover, most of the studied genes’ expression tended to increase when shoots were exposed to blue, blue + red and blue + red + UV lights. A temperature of 15°C (vs 22°C) significantly reduced the mean fresh weight of microshoots while increasing and gene expression and decreasing gene expression. Exposure to a higher temperature (30°C) induced the vitrification of microshoots, although the fresh weight did not differ from that of the control. Gene expression also depended on the duration of exposure. In the case of , gene expression remained the same or increased after exposure for 1 week and then decreased after exposure for 4 weeks.