Molecular phenology regulating bud dormancy of the Yoshino-cherry tree

We explored seasonal gene expression profiles in the Yoshino cherry trees (Cerasus × yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino') at three distinct sites, each situated at varying latitudes in Japan. Our goal was to gather molecular phenology data that could provide insights into mechanism of bud dormancy. The molecular phenology approach, which monitors the seasonal dynamics of global gene expression profiles in leaves and buds under natural conditions, enables the study of physiological responses to seasonal environmental changes at the molecular level. Overall design: We characterized the seasonal dynamics of global transcriptomics every four weeks using apical buds and leaves throughout the year from June 2018 to April 2019. To monitor the molecular phenology, we collected samples from two individuals each at three study sites in Japan: Sapporo (nursery at Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) Hokkaido, 42°59' N, 141°23' E; 146.5 m a.s.l.), Tsukuba (an arboretum of the FFPRI, 36°0' N, 140°7' E, 24 m a.s.l.) and Fukuoka (the biodiversity reserve on the Ito campus of Kyushu University; 33°35' N, 130°12' E, 20 to 57 m a.s.l.). RNA was extracted independently from bud and leaf and samples of each tree of Cerasus × yedoensis 'Somei-yoshino'.