News
Bringing Floral Fragrance to New Heights
November 15, 2024
In the world of flowers, fragrance plays a huge role in providing a unique and special sensory experience. However, as we’ve bred flowers for color, longevity, and other desirable traits, fragrance has often been left behind. Many modern flowers, especially those grown in greenhouses or sold in floral markets, lack the intensity of fragrance that older varieties once had. Yet fragrance remains a highly valued trait, enhancing consumer enjoyment and satisfaction.
Recognizing this, Dr. Thomas Colquhoun and his team at the University of Florida have turned to synthetic biology to enhance floral fragrance. In a recent breakthrough, researchers identified a gene from Caladium that can be used to enhance floral fragrance in other species.
Caladium? Isn’t that a foliage plant?
Many of you probably know Caladium as a popular foliage plant with heart shaped leaves and bright coloration (see image below). Although they are grown as foliage plants, caladiums do bloom sometimes, producing a single arum-type flower (think peace lily or jack-in-the-pulpit). Caladium flowers (specifically the male flower tissues) emit a very special volatile compound, 4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole (MVT), at levels that would seem to be impossible for plants. This compound is not commonly produced in plants since it requires a lot of energy, due to a specific process plants use to create MVT. This process involves a high demand for a protein called THI4. In caladium flowers, the gene responsible for making the THI4 protein is highly active, almost like a natural “booster” that ramps up fragrance production.
How the Research Was Conducted
The researchers isolated this THI4 gene from Caladium bicolor ‘Tapestry’ and explored how it functions. They then transferred this gene into petunias, aiming to see if it would have a similar effect on fragrance production. But it wasn’t as simple as moving the gene from one plant to another. They had to ensure that the petunia would activate this gene strongly enough to produce a noticeable scent. To do this, they experimented with different “promoters” (DNA sequences that can turn a gene on) to find the optimal one for enhancing fragrance.
They tested various versions of the caladium promoter to find which one would work best in petunia flowers. Once the ideal promoter was selected, they used a fluorescent marker gene (which glows green when active) to confirm that the transferred caladium gene was indeed working as intended in the petunia. Under specialized lighting, the petunia flowers glowed green, signaling successful gene activation.
The team then created stable, genetically modified petunias that could consistently produce fragrance across generations. They used advanced plant transformation techniques to ensure that the petunias carried the fragrance-enhancing gene in a way that would last, providing a foundation for potential future breeding of consistently fragrant flowers.
By combining insights from caladiums with cutting-edge genetic tools, the researchers effectively unlocked a new pathway for enhancing floral scent in a commercially popular plant. Their success in amplifying fragrance in petunias could mean that this approach is adaptable to other flowers as well, which could have widespread implications for breeding and developing new fragrant varieties of other flower species.
Implications for the Floral Industry
This research could eventually lead to flowers that are not only more fragrant but also more appealing to consumers. While the project used synthetic biology techniques, it also revealed fundamental knowledge about how plants produce fragrance. This knowledge could eventually help traditional breeders create naturally fragrant flower varieties. By developing methods to boost fragrance naturally, flower breeders can meet consumer demand for flowers that not only look beautiful but also smell delightful.
The American Floral Endowment is committed to supporting innovative research that strengthens the profitability and sustainability of the floriculture industry. By funding groundbreaking studies like this one, that add to our botanical knowledge, improve breeding techniques, and enhance the appeal of floral crops, AFE ensures a thriving future for growers, retailers, and flower enthusiasts alike. To support these impactful efforts and help bring more research-driven advancements to the industry, consider making a donation to AFE today.
Click here to read the full research report.
