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Virus-Induced Gene Silencing in Plants pp 199–222Cite as

Virus-Induced Gene Silencing for Functional Analysis of Flower Traits in Petunia

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2172))

Abstract

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) uses recombinant viruses to knock down the expression of endogenous plant genes, allowing for rapid functional analysis without generating stable transgenic plants. The Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) is a popular vector for VIGS because it has a wide host range that includes Petunia × hybrida (petunia), and it induces minimal viral symptoms. Using reporter genes like chalcone synthase (CHS) in tandem with a gene of interest (GOI; pTRV2-PhCHS-GOI), it is possible to visually identify silenced flowers so that phenotyping is more accurate. Inoculation methods and environmental conditions need to be optimized for each host plant-virus interaction to maximize silencing efficiency. This chapter will provide detailed protocols for VIGS in petunia, with an emphasis on the investigation of flower phenotypes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the American Floral Endowment, the CFAES Research Competitive Grants Program, and The Ohio State University D.C. Kiplinger Floriculture Endowment for funding support. Salaries and research support were provided in part by state and federal funds appropriated to the OARDC, The Ohio State University, and by USDA Hatch MIS-212060, Mississippi State University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, Truck Crops Experiment Station, Crystal Springs, MS, USA

    Shaun R. Broderick

  2. Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH, USA

    Laura J. Chapin & Michelle L. Jones

Authors
  1. Shaun R. Broderick
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  2. Laura J. Chapin
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  3. Michelle L. Jones
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michelle L. Jones .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université de Tours, Tours, France

    Vincent Courdavault

  2. EA2106 Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales, Université de Tours, Tours, France

    Sébastien Besseau

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Broderick, S.R., Chapin, L.J., Jones, M.L. (2020). Virus-Induced Gene Silencing for Functional Analysis of Flower Traits in Petunia. In: Courdavault, V., Besseau, S. (eds) Virus-Induced Gene Silencing in Plants. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2172. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0751-0_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0751-0_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

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