Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have identified genetic factors that enhance cold tolerance in cultivated strawberries, particularly in response to late spring frost episodes. This research aims to improve the resilience of strawberry crops amid climate change, which has been shifting seasonal patterns and increasing the risk of sudden frost.
In a study published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, KIT scientists, led by Professor Peter Nick, explored the cold resistance mechanisms of woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca). They utilized genotypes from the German Gene Bank for Crop Wild Relatives to analyze differences in cold stress responses.
The study revealed distinct physiological and biochemical processes linked to cold tolerance. The researchers found that cold-tolerant genotypes exhibited higher expression levels of certain cold-regulated genes, which produce proteins serving as antifreeze agents to protect plant cells from freezing damage. Additionally, they identified key genes involved in the cold-signal cascade that facilitate the plant's response to cold stress.
The findings are significant for agriculture, as they provide a foundation for breeding strawberries that can produce more antifreeze proteins through conventional cross-breeding methods. This approach avoids the need for genetic engineering while leveraging molecular knowledge for efficient plant selection.
Professor Nick emphasized the importance of wild species in enhancing agricultural sustainability, stating, 'The example of the woodland strawberry shows that analyzing wild species can help us make agriculture more sustainable and resilient in the future.'