title: Zeatin modulates flower bud development and tocopherol levels in Cistus albidus (L.) plants as they age.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Biologia Vegetal, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Miret
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Der Kelen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rombaut
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Breusegem
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munné-Bosch
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D029758:Cistus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D035264:Flowers / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015026:Zeatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D015026:Zeatin; D024505:Tocopherols
keywords: Ageing; cytokinins; floral vigour; flower development; tocopherols; trans-zeatin