Physiological process involved in the flowering habit of ‘Chilean white strawberry’ (F. chiloensis subsp. chiloensis f. chiloensis).
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Date
2020
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Abstract
The Chilean white strawberry (F. chiloensis subsp. chiloensis f. chiloensis) is a native genotype that only emits one inflorescence per plant during the season, unlike its descendant, the cultivated red strawberry (F. x ananassa). To determine the main processes involved in this response, several studies of plant morphology, floral induction, dormancy and branching were carried out. The main results indicated that floral induction does not respond photoperiod pathway as in F. x ananassa, and it is favored at low temperatures (below 9ºC). For dormancy release, the chilean white strawberry requires between 900-1,000 chilling units. Finally, the branching increased in response to decapitation and not to the Prohexadione-calcium application, as observed in F. x ananassa. These results allow to conclude that the flowering habit of Chilean white strawberry is defined by the low floral induction and branching. The species would have vernalization requirements for floral induction, not fulfilled in a climate change context. On the other hand, the strong apical dominance proven could be related to the domestication process of this crop. This new knowledge will allow adjusting cultivation and plant propagation techniques to improve the fruit production and avoid the disappearance of this important crop in Chile.
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Tesis (Doctor en Ciencias de la Agricultura)--Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 2020