Research into the flowering dynamics and molecular regulation of heterodichogamy in avocado trees holds significant importance for both agricultural practice and scientific understanding. Avocado is a valuable crop worldwide, with increasing demand driven by its nutritional value. However, optimizing fruit yield and quality proves challenging because of the unique reproductive strategy of avocado trees. With Type A and B trees flowering at different times of the day promoting cross-pollination becomes crucial. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying the timing of flower maturation is crucial for efficient pollination and fruit set, directly impacting yield and profitability for avocado growers. By elucidating the key genes involved in heterodichogamy and their regulatory pathways, this research can inform targeted breeding efforts to enhance pollination success and fruit production in avocado orchards.
Moreover, unravelling the molecular intricacies of flower development in avocado contributes to broader scientific knowledge in plant biology and reproductive biology. Avocado exhibits a specialized form of heterodichogamy, a reproductive strategy that sets it apart from many other plant species. Insight gained from this research can advance our understanding of how plants coordinate flowering and reproductive timing. Additionally, identifying molecular markers associated with flower type and heterodichogamy facilitates the development of screening tools for growers to accurately classify avocado trees and optimize orchard management strategies.
Therefore, the research aims to identify differentially expressed genes between Type A and B avocado trees and to develop a putative model for heterodichogamy in avocado using differentially expressed genes from an RNA-seq experiment, with the goal of developing a screening tool for the identification of Type A and B avocado trees. This research bridges fundamental and applied science, offering practical solutions for sustainable avocado production while enriching our understanding of plant reproductive biology.
ARP Team Members
Johane Cilliers
