# RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Potential Genes Involved in Plant Growth Regulator-Induced Ovary Development in Male Kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha)

## TL;DR

This study identifies genes involved in inducing ovary development in male kiwifruit using plant growth regulators, offering insights for breeding.

## Contribution

The study reveals key genes linked to PGR-induced ovary development in male kiwifruit, previously unexplored in this species.

## Key findings

- Histological analysis showed normal carpel development in PGR-treated male kiwifruit ovaries.
- Transcriptome analysis identified genes in cytokinin and auxin pathways associated with PGR-induced ovary development.
- Genes SPT and SK41 were highly expressed in PGR-treated ovaries, suggesting their role in carpel development.

## Abstract

Kiwifruit is a dioecious woody liana fruit tree, and the non-fruitfulness of male plants leads to a great deal of blindness in the selection of male plants in crossbreeding. In this study, we induced the development of male plant ovary by externally applying plant growth regulators (PGRs) and performed histological observation, phytohormone content determination and transcriptome analysis on the abortive ovary of the male kiwifruit (Con), the ovary of the female kiwifruit (Fem) and the PGR-induced developing ovary of the male kiwifruit (PT). Histological analysis showed that the Con ovary was devoid of ovules and the carpels were atrophied, the Fem ovary had ovules and the PT ovary was devoid of ovules, but the carpels developed normally and were not atrophied. Endogenous phytohormone content measurements displayed higher levels of trans-zeatin (tZT) in PT and Fem than Con, and lower levels of gibberellin (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) than Con. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant differences in many key genes in the cytokinin and auxin pathways, which were consistent with the results of phytohormone content measurements. Meanwhile, the genes related to carpel development, SPT (DTZ79_04g03580) and SK41 (DTZ79_19g04340), were highly expressed in PT, suggesting that they may play a key role in PGR-induced development of the ovary in male kiwifruit. These results provide information for elucidating the potential regulatory network of PGR-induced ovary development in male flowers and contribute to further identification of valuable target genes.