News
The Node Knows: Cracking the Code on Faster Growth
March 26, 2025
For greenhouse growers, the speed at which plants develop new nodes (where the leaves, branches, buds, and new growth emerge) plays a crucial role in efficiency and profitability. Faster-growing plants mean quicker turnaround, higher cutting yields, and better adaptability to different growing conditions. Recent research from Michigan State University, supported by the American Floral Endowment, has uncovered new insights into the genetic regulation of growth rate in petunias. These discoveries could have far-reaching implications for breeding faster-growing, more energy-efficient ornamental plants across the industry.
Faster Growth Means More Profits
The speed at which a plant grows—specifically, how quickly it produces new leaves and branches—has a big impact on greenhouse production. A faster-growing plant can mean:
- Shorter production times, allowing for quicker turnaround and more plant cycles per season.
- Higher yield of vegetative cuttings, increasing the number of plants available for sale.
- Better adaptability to cooler greenhouse temperatures, which could help lower energy costs.
Crop production time for annual bedding plants is a function of the rate of development (node development), which is a temperature-dependent process. Traditionally, growers have tried to cut heating costs by lowering greenhouse temperatures. While this may seem like a good idea, it actually slows plant growth, leading to longer production times. Interestingly, not all ornamental plant varieties respond the same way to temperature changes. Some slow down drastically, while others continue growing at a reasonable pace
Unlocking the Secrets of Faster Growth
To help breeders develop plants that grow faster and perform well in cooler temperatures, researchers have been studying plant genetics. They identified a specific gene in petunia, called PML4, that plays a key role in how fast petunias produce new growth. Using advanced breeding techniques (CRISPR gene editing), scientists created petunia plants with a modified version of this gene to test how it affects growth. Their results showed that plants with this gene turned off actually grew slower, proving that PML4 is important for growth speed.
What This Means for Growers
Understanding the role of this gene is a big step toward developing ornamental plant varieties that grow faster and are more efficient for greenhouse production. If breeders can select for plants with higher natural levels of this gene, it could lead to:
- Quicker crop cycles without relying on high temperatures.
- More vegetative cuttings per plant, improving propagation efficiency.
Stronger plants that thrive even under lower energy inputs.
The Future of Ornamental Plant Production
This research opens the door for breeding companies to develop ornamental plants that naturally grow faster, helping growers increase productivity and reduce costs. The knowledge gained from this study can guide traditional breeding programs in selecting for faster-growing, temperature-resilient varieties. Want to learn more? Click here to read the full research report.
As the industry continues to advance, research like this helps ensure that growers can meet demand efficiently while maintaining high-quality plants. Stay tuned for more innovations from AFE-funded research that will help shape the future of greenhouse floriculture!
