Carbohydrate dynamics and transcriptomic changes during floral development in heterodichogamous Ziziphus jujuba.

Carbohydrate accumulation and gene expression changes are closely linked during floral development in Ziziphus jujuba, with soluble sugars and starch increasing notably in flowers.

• Why it matters: Understanding carbohydrate roles in floral development is crucial for revealing mechanisms underlying heterodichogamy, which influences reproductive success and crop yield in Z. jujuba.
• What they did: The study analyzed biomass, carbohydrate levels, and transcriptomes across developmental stages in flowers and leaves of both morphs, identifying key gene modules and candidate genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that carbohydrate dynamics are tightly associated with transcriptional shifts during flower development, offering insights into the molecular basis of sex-phase transitions in heterodichogamous plants.