Zeatin modulates flower bud development and tocopherol levels in Cistus albidus(L.) plants as they age

Hernández, I., Miret, J. A., Van Der Kelen, K., Rombaut, D., Van Breusegem, F. and Munné-Bosch, S. (2015) Zeatin modulates flower bud development and tocopherol levels in Cistus albidus(L.) plants as they age. Plant Biology, 17 (1). pp. 90-96. ISSN 14358603 doi: 10.1111/plb.12207

Abstract/Summary

In a previous study we showed that Cistus albidus (L.) experiences an age‐dependent decay in flower vigour correlated with a decline in trans‐zeatin (tZ) levels. In the present study we aimed to establish a causal relationship between these two phenomena. Exogenous tZ applied to plants grown under semi‐controlled conditions did not rescue flower vigour; however, it accelerated flower development, but only in younger individuals. Older plants showed lower tocopherol levels in flower buds, which were restored by exogenous tZ, suggesting that a loss of antioxidant defences may underlie the age‐dependent decay in flower vigour. We conclude that declining tZ levels may not be directly responsible for the age‐associated loss of floral vigour; that tZ modulates the speed of flower development as plants age; and that flower buds alter their sensitivity to tZ as plants age.