Figure 6
Expression profiles of Actinidia flowering genes in kiwifruit emerging shoots. A. Stages of budbreak and early shoot development in A. chinensis as described previously [61]. 1, dormant bud; 2, emergence of pubescent bud scales; 3, emergence of leaves; 4, unfolding of leaves and internode elongation; 5, clearly visible flower buds (arrows). Emergence of pubescent bud scales coincides with inflorescence development, when elongation of axillary meristem which gives rise to the terminal flower and initiation of bracts were detected. Leaf emergence coincides with completed sepal initiation and emergence of petal primordia. Unfolding of leaves coincides with carpel initiation [61]. B. Relative expression of kiwifruit flowering genes during shoot bud dormancy and early shoot development in A. chinensis. C. Schematic diagram representing the kiwifruit shoot and buds. D. Floral buds (arrows) become visible in the basal part of the stage 4 emerging shoot upon removal of leaves, but are absent from the medial part of the shoot (arrowhead). E. Relative expression of kiwifruit flowering genes in basal, medial and apical fragments of the stage 4 emerging shoot. F. Relative expression in shoot primordia during the season. Black arrow and arrowhead indicate visible emergence of pubescent bud scales in A. chinensis 'Hort16A' and A. deliciosa 'Hayward', respectively. Green arrow and arrowhead indicate leaf emergence in A. chinensis 'Hort16A' and A. deliciosa 'Hayward', respectively.