XVI International Botanical Congess

Gerbera hybrida (Asteraceae) bears on its inflorescence different types of flowers. With many parameters varying in single genotypes, and with highly specialized floral organs, Asteraceae offers an unparalleled opportunity to study genetic regulation of these phenomena. We isolated from gerbera inflorescence cDNA libraries sequences homologous to the regulatory genes of the MADS box family. Based on functional studies in transgenic gerbera plants, we could show that some of them correspond to the B and C class homeotic genes described in model systems. Functional studies have allowed us to assess roles also for genes that phylogenetically fall outside of the ABC genes. Their involvement in gerbera flower development will be discussed.