Study Identifies Genes That Control Dwarf Apple Growth
September 30, 2026| |
Researchers from Hebei Agricultural University and the Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Forest Tree Germplasm Resources and Forest Protection have identified a molecular pathway that regulates plant height in apple trees. The study investigated MdKNOX15, a gene highly active in dwarf and spur-type apple varieties, to gain insights into developing dwarf apple trees suitable for high-density orchards.
The study revealed that increasing MdKNOX15 activity produced shorter plants with lower levels of the growth hormone gibberellin (GA), while reducing the gene increased GA levels and plant height. Further analyses showed that MdKNOX15 directly regulates two GA-related genes, MdGA2ox7 and MdGA20ox2. The study also found that MdKNOX15 interacts with the DELLA homolog MdSLR1b, which affects the stability and activity of MdKNOX15.
The findings showed that MdGA2ox7 suppresses apple growth, while MdGA20ox2 promotes it. The study also found that MdSLR1b further strengthened the effects of MdKNOX15 on these genes. The researchers proposed that the MdKNOX15-MdSLR1b-MdGA2ox7/MdGA20ox2 pathway plays a central role in controlling apple plant height and could support breeding efforts for dwarf apple varieties.
For more information, read the study from The Plant Journal.
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