Decapitation Experiments Combined with the Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Mechanism of High Temperature on Chrysanthemum Axillary Bud Formation

Temperature is an important factor that largely affects the patterns of shoot branching in plants. However, the effect and mechanism of temperature on axillary bud development in chrysanthemum remains poorly defined. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of high temperature on the axillary bud growth and the mechanism of axillary bud formation in chrysanthemum. Decapitation experiments combined with the transcriptome analysis were designed. Results showed that the axillary bud length was significantly inhibited by high temperature. Decapitation of primary shoot (primary decapitation) resulted in slower growth of axillary buds (secondary buds) under 35 °C. However, secondary decapitation resulted in complete arrest of tertiary buds at high temperature. These results demonstrated that high temperature not only inhibited axillary bud formation but also retarded bud outgrowth in chrysanthemum. Comparative transcriptome suggested differentially expressed gene sets and identified important modules associated with bud formation. This research helped to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of high temperature on axillary bud growth, especially bud formation in chrysanthemum. Meanwhile, in-depth studies of this imperative temperature signaling can offer the likelihood of vital future applications in chrysanthemum breeding and branching control.