From winter sleep to spring wake-up

Ondertitel:elucidating how temperature and daylength affect dormancy and budburst in temperate deciduous trees

Korte inhoud:This thesis investigates the timing of phenological stages, the influence of environmental factors (temperature and daylength), and the molecular mechanisms underlying winter dormancy (endodormancy) in deciduous trees. The focus is on two deciduous species: Populus nigra (black poplars) and Fagus sylvatica (European beech). Three field experiments examine responses to current climate conditions, late fall warming, and modified winter-spring daylength. Transcriptome analysis sheds light on gene expression changes during endodormancy. While early successional species exhibit earlier phenological events, temperature variations play a significant role. Lack of chilling accumulation during late autumn affects dormancy depth and spring phenology, with elevated temperature treatments showing varied responses across years. Late autumn temperatures and daylength interaction affect bud dormancy and spring phenology in European beech and are showing that daylength is the last guardian to avoid early budburst. Transcriptome analysis identifies genes associated with dormancy transition, emphasizing DNA binding, cell cycle regulation, and phytohormone pathways. Overall, the thesis contributes to understanding deciduous tree behavior and implications for forest responses to climate change, offering insights into phenological events (dormancy depth and spring budburst) while presenting novel data on molecular mechanisms during endodormancy.

Jaar van publicatie:2024

Trefwoorden:Biology

Toegankelijkheid:Open