Mulberry (Morus species) leaves are the sole food for silkworms (Bombyx
mori). Abiotic stresses significantly decrease mulberry productivity and
postharvest water loss from leaves affect silkworm growth and cocoon yield.
Leaf surface properties of mulberry help regulate water loss through the
cuticular layer. Indian researchers, led by R. S. Sajeevan from University
of Agricultural Sciences, overexpressed AtSHN1, a gene associated with
epicuticular wax biosynthesis from Arabidopsis, to increase leaf surface wax
in mulberry.

Transgenic mulberry plants displayed dark green shiny appearance with
increased leaf surface wax content. Analysis showed the changes in the
pattern of surface wax deposition as well as the significant change in wax
composition in the transgenic mulberries. The increased wax content altered
the leaf surface properties, with the transgenics showing significant
improvement in leaf moisture retention capacity. Silkworm bioassay also did
not find any undesirable effects on larval growth and cocoon yield.

This study proved that overexpression of the AtSHN1 gene can reduce the
postharvest water loss in mulberry by modifying leaf surface wax.

[journal.frontiersin.org]



---
Diese E-Mail wurde von Avast Antivirus-Software auf Viren gepr??ft.
[www.avast.com]