Biotech Updates

Flowering Onset in Oil Palms, Control Genes Reviewed

July 6, 2007

A model showing the possible roles of various genes in the determination of flower structure in African oil palm was presented by researchers at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). The researchers reported general information about the reproductive development in oil palms as well as specific ones pertaining to their research on genes controlling flower development.

Helene Adam and colleagues said that the molecular basis of flower structure in oil palm, a monocot, follows those reported by past studies on dicot species. Adam’s group discussed this apparent conserved function in relation to the MADS-box genes that they have identified and characterized. MADS-box transcription factors are known to play homeotic roles in flower development. The researchers provided evidence that difference of expression of MADS-box genes determines petal and sepal identities in oil palm. They also mentioned that investigation on gene expression in oil palm is challenging. This is due to the large size and long life cycle of the plant, with flowering occurring only about 3 years from germination.

The review paper published in the Annals of Botany can be accessed by subscribers at http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/1/1.