Elucidation of mechanisms of abscission using the model plant Arabidopsis and the ornamental plant poinsettia

Summary Abscission, the process that enables plants to shed organs after they have served their function, is very important in agriculture and horticulture. Harvest quality and quantity is dependent on control of abscission of seeds (cereals and oil seed rape), fruits and berries (fruit production) and flowers (ornamentals). Fundamental research is required to obtain a better knowledge and understanding of this physiological process, and this will ultimately provide the growers in agriculture and horticulture wi th: - the advantage of producing quality crops with less input of chemicals, - an environmental friendly greenhouse production by improved postharvest quality. The project will generate relevant knowledge from fundamental studies combined with a practical problem-solving approach related to post harvest quality in floriculture without using chemicals. Arabidopsis thaliana and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) w ill be used as model plants. Floral abscission mutants of Arabidopsis, and the affected genes, as well as gene constructs designed to investigate and manipulate abscission in poinsettia will be employed. An important goal is to educate Post.docs. The proj ect is a collaboration between the University of Oslo (UiO), The Agricultural University of Norway (NLH), John Innes Centre (JIC), Norwich, UK and the University of Madison (UoM), Wisconsin, USA.