The transition from vegetative growth to reproduction is an essential commitment in plant life. It is triggered by environmental cues (day length, temperature, nutrients) and regulated by the very complex signaling gene network and by phytohormones. The control of flowering is well understood in Arabidopsis thaliana and in some crops, much less is known about the other angiosperms.

The survival and adaptation of angiosperms depend on the proper timing of flowering. The weedy species Chenopodium ficifolium serves as a useful diploid model for comparing the transition to flowering with the important tetraploid crop Chenopodium quinoa due to the close phylogenetic relationship. The detailed transcriptomic and hormonomic study of the floral induction was performed in the short-day accession C. ficifolium 459. The plants grew more rapidly under long days but flowered later than under short days.

Exposure of Norway spruce (Picea abies) somatic embryos and those of many other conifers to post-maturation desiccation treatment significantly improves their germination. An integration analysis was conducted to understand the underlying processes induced during the desiccation phase at the molecular level. Carbohydrate, protein and phytohormone assays associated with histological and proteomic studies were performed for the evaluation of markers and actors in this phase.

The aim of this study was to characterise the changes in concentration and composition of antioxidants during ripening, harvest and after 3 and 6 months of storage in three commercially successful scab-resistant and powdery mildew-tolerant apple cultivars selected in the Institute of Experimental Botany. The detailed description of free and glycosylated phenolic acid profiles and content of 6 selected carotenoids - neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and ß-carotene will serve for outcomes of major characteristics of these apple cultivars.

This study aimed to develop an efficient micropropagation protocol for Disanthus cercidifolius Maxim., an ornamental shrub. Sprouting buds of two genotypes (‘Trubaʼ and ‘PdSʼ) were used as an initial plant material.