Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 1-8 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 1 Research Insight Open Access Genetic Basis of Tree Size and Fruit Yield in Durian Roles of Auxin and Cytokinin Signaling Pathways Zhonggang Li 1, Mengting Luo 1,2 1 Tropical Medicinal Plant Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China 2 Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: menting.luo@cuixi.org Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2025, Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2025.15.0001 Received: 18 Dec., 2024 Accepted: 20 Jan., 2025 Published: 28 Jan., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Li and Luo, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li Z.G., and Luo M.T., 2025, Genetic basis of tree size and fruit yield in durian roles of auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 15(1): 1-8 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2025.15.0001) Abstract Durian (Durio zibethinus), widely known as the “King of Fruits”, holds significant economic and cultural value across Southeast Asia. The size of its trees and fruit yield are critical agronomic traits, directly affecting cultivation efficiency and commercial viability. Despite their importance, the genetic underpinnings of these traits remain insufficiently understood. This study explores the influence of auxin and cytokinin signaling pathways in shaping durian tree architecture and determining fruit productivity. Auxin primarily regulates apical dominance and cell elongation, influencing overall tree morphology, while cytokinin drives branch differentiation and canopy expansion. During fruit development, auxin plays a crucial role in fruit set and expansion, whereas cytokinin modulates fruit number and size by controlling cell division rates. The balance between these two plant hormones is essential for optimizing durian growth and yield. Advancements in molecular breeding technologies, such as genetic modification and marker-assisted selection, present new opportunities for durian productivity enhancement. Understanding the intricate interactions between auxin and cytokinin at the genetic level will not only deepen our comprehension of durian growth and fruiting but also provide valuable insights for precision breeding and improved orchard management. Keywords Durian (Durio zibethinus); Auxin signaling pathway; Cytokinin regulation; Tree architecture; Fruit yield optimization 1 Introduction Durian (Durio zibethinus), known as the “King of Fruits”, is a highly valuable tropical fruit crop cultivated primarily in Southeast Asia. Its economic significance is driven by increasing global demand, yet its cultivation is challenged by long juvenile phases, variable fruit yields, and large tree size, which complicates orchard management. Understanding the genetic basis of tree size and fruit yield in durian is crucial for improving productivity and optimizing breeding strategies. Among the key regulators of plant growth and fruit production, plant hormones- particularly auxin and cytokinin- play fundamental roles in shaping tree architecture and determining fruit yield potential. Recent advances in molecular biology and genomics provide new opportunities to explore the genetic mechanisms underlying auxin and cytokinin signaling in durian, offering insights for targeted breeding and cultivation improvements (Khaksar and Sirikantaramas, 2020). Tree size and fruit yield are critical agronomic traits that significantly impact durian cultivation and commercial viability. Durian trees are naturally large, with some varieties reaching heights of over 40 meters, making harvesting and maintenance labor-intensive (Immanen et al., 2016). Reducing tree size through genetic or agronomic interventions can enhance orchard efficiency, enabling higher planting densities and improved resource utilization. Additionally, fruit yield varies widely among cultivars and environmental conditions, affecting profitability. Optimizing yield-related traits through genetic improvement can help stabilize fruit production and meet market demands. Therefore, understanding the genetic factors that regulate tree growth and fruit set is essential for enhancing durian cultivation efficiency (Iqbal et al., 2021). Plant hormones are key regulators of growth and development, orchestrating various physiological processes that shape tree morphology and fruit characteristics. Among them, auxin and cytokinin are central to the regulation of vegetative growth and reproductive development. Auxin influences apical dominance, root formation, and fruit initiation, while cytokinin controls cell division, shoot branching, and sink-source dynamics (Khaksar et al., 2019).
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