Effects of modified carbohydrate content on the development and growth of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

The aim of this work was to examine the effect of altered carbohydrate composition on the carnation growth and development. A transgenic approach was applied in our experiments. Carnation leaves were transformed with modified mammalian bifunctional enzyme, coding 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase and fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase (6-PF-2-K/Fru-2,6-P(2)ase). This enzyme synthesizes and degrades the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P-2) an important regulator of carbohydrate metabolism. Sucrose, starch, glucose and fructose content were influenced by modification of the Fru-2,6-P-2 metabolite concentration. Differences could be observed in the morphology and the ontogeny of plants. The development of sucrose overproducing plants was faster than the starch accumulating and wild type ones.