A new study by Dr. Moshe Reuvani from the Volcanic Institute published in the journal Nature found that the presence of a protein called florigen, which is secreted by the plant during flowering (the stage of sexual reproduction), is related to the decrease in the plant's ability to reproduce through regeneration.
Mammals and humans have only one way to reproduce: they need a mother and a father. Plants have two. One is sexual reproduction, through male and female, and the other is through regeneration - renewal, that is: the plant produces a growth that grows from it and it develops into an independent plant that is genetically identical to the original
The problem with plants is that they cannot reproduce both ways at the same time. When the plant is in the flowering phase, a sign of multiplicity, the plant has difficulty regenerating.
A new study by Dr. Moshe Reuvani from the Volcani Institute found that the presence of a protein called florigen, which is secreted by the plant during flowering, is related to the plant's decreased ability to reproduce through regeneration.
In a study published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports, the researchers showed that in young plants, when the level of the protein florigen is increased, the regeneration capacity decreases dramatically and when the amount of florigen is reduced, the regeneration capacity increases greatly. When the researchers increased the level of florigen in the plants, the ability to regenerate decreased. When the florigen level in plants was lowered by chemicals, regeneration capacity increased. Chemical substances that inhibit flowering and lower the florigen level and encourage regeneration in plants also encourage regeneration in laboratory animals.
The research was carried out on tomato and tobacco seedlings.
Dr. Moshe Reuvani from the Volcani Institute, who heads the research group: "This knowledge can allow farmers to multiply the materials they have in the nurseries. In the regeneration process, the seedlings are genetically identical to the original one hundred percent. Therefore, this method is very good for planters who want to include quality material. Through the research that identified the action of the florigen, it is possible with a relatively simple and non-dangerous spray to control the plant's reproductive system and bring about the result of significantly increasing quality crops."
