Expression analysis of flowering switch factors using candidate gene approach in Mango

Mango cultivars, Amrapali (regular bearer) and Dashehari (alternate bearer), contrasting for bearing habit were assessed for expression of flowering time genes. The flowering time (FT) genes identified and characterized from cv. Amrapali and Dashehari were 1456 bp (base pair) and 1378 bp in length, respectively. Studies on amplified FT gene indicated that its expression was found to be higher in the young or apical leaves as compared to the mature leaves. Expression of FT gene was higher in regular bearer cv. Amrapali compared to the alternate bearer cv. Dashehari. Higher expression of FT gene was also observed in the leaves during the mid-stage i.e. prior to induction of flowering (mid-February) for both the cultivars as compared to early stage i.e. before flowering (mid-January) and late stage i.e. prior to flower bud initiation (early-March). The results indicate that the higher expression of the gene was observed during both the years in cv. Amrapali whereas it was lower during ‘off-year’ in cv. Dashehari.