Fig. 2

Expression pattern of MdFT1, MdFT2, AFL1, AFL2, MdAP1a, MdAP1b, MdSOC1-like and MdTFL1 during the growing season in ‘Gala’ apple trees measured by quantitative real-time PCR using spur apical buds harvested at day 118, 131, 151, 180 and 222. Graphics represent the average of the nine data points per date and per treatment with associated standard deviation. Significance of the difference of relative expression between ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ trees for each studied gene and at each time point estimated by Student t-test was reported on the graphics (*, p-value < 0.05; **, p-value < 0.01; ***, p-value < 0.001). Relative expression was calculated using the HistoneH3 housekeeping gene