Far-red light inhibits lateral bud growth mainly through enhancing apical dominance independently of strigolactone synthesis in tomato

The ratio of red light to far-red light (R:FR) is perceived by light receptors and consequently regulates plant architecture. Regulation of shoot branching by R:FR ratio involves plant hormones. However, the roles of strigolactone (SL), the key shoot branching hormone and the interplay of different hormones in the light regulation of shoot branching in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) are elusive. Here, we found that defects in SL synthesis genes CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 7 (CCD7) and CCD8 in tomato resulted in more lateral bud growth but failed to reverse the FR inhibition of lateral bud growth, which was associated with increased auxin synthesis and decreased synthesis of cytokinin (CK) and brassinosteroid (BR). Treatment of auxin also inhibited shoot branching in ccd mutants. However, CK released the FR inhibition of lateral bud growth in ccd mutants, concomitant with the upregulation of BR synthesis genes. Furthermore, plants that overexpressed BR synthesis gene showed more lateral bud growth and the shoot branching was less sensitive to the low R:FR ratio. The results indicate that SL synthesis is dispensable for light regulation of shoot branching in tomato. Auxin mediates the response to R:FR ratio to regulate shoot branching by suppressing CK and BR synthesis. The role of strigolactone synthesis in and the contributions of other hormones to far-red (FR) light regulation of shoot branching in tomato is elusive. Here, we found that FR light inhibits lateral bud growth mainly through enhancing apical dominance independently of strigolactone synthesis in tomato.

Automated summary

The ratio of red light to far-red light (R:FR) regulates shoot branching in tomato by influencing auxin, cytokinin, and brassinosteroid synthesis. Auxin acts as a negative regulator while cytokinin and brassinosteroids act as positive regulators. Moreover, although strigolactone synthesis is independent of shoot branching's light regulation in tomato, far-red light inhibits lateral bud growth through enhancing apical dominance.