Abstract
Floral induction is a key developmental stage for fruit trees, particularly for horticultural crops such as the apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), because it determines the success of commercial orchards by its influence on fruit quantity and quality, as well as stability of production from year to year. Therefore, understanding the control of flowering is crucial to ensure fruit security and improve fruit production. In this study, we aim at deciphering a gene regulatory network (GRN) that controls floral transition in apple. To this end, we are making use of massive micro RNAs (miRNAs) sequencing to identify differentially accumulated miRNAs in apple apical meristems during floral induction and initiation. The temporal and spatial expression pattern of these miRNAs and their potential target genes will be studied using RNA in situ hybridization. These data in combination with genome-wide studies (e.g. DAP-seq) will allow us to build a GRN involved in the floral transition of apple.