Zhonggang Li¹ , 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
Author    Correspondence author
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

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.

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)

 

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.

Durian (Durio zibethinus); Auxin signaling pathway; Cytokinin regulation; Tree architecture; Fruit yield optimization