Rose gene identified that will restore fragrance to ornamental flowers

Roses smell sweet. But as it turns out, not all roses are the same. Wild roses have a more intense scent than ornamental roses. What makes them such fragrant flowers? Scientists have identified a gene responsible for the delicate rose scent. The discovery could help restore the classic fragrance of ornamental roses . These flowers have been accidentally lost due to human activity. Roses commonly sold in florists are grown for their beauty and durability after cutting. Fragrance is not considered. A flower that has no scent is dead The study's lead author, Sylvie Baudino from the University of Lyon in France, believes that the discovery of the RhNUDX1 gene will restore the rose's most precious asset. The discovery could help breed the perfect rose: a flower that is not only beautiful and resilient but also fragrant. The scent of roses is produced by biochemical mechanisms specific only to them. Baudino and her colleagues compared the genes of two different rose varieties: the intensely scented Papa Meilland and the very faintly scented Rouge Meilland . Papa Meilland produces high levels of organic compounds called monoterpenes—aromatic molecules that make up many natural scents, such as mint. The petals of the fragrant Papa Meilland express one gene in particular—RhNUDX1. In other organisms, this gene is responsible for the production of an enzyme that helps cells cope with stress . In the cytoplasm of rose cells, it triggers the production of geraniol, one of the most characteristic rose fragrance compounds. What is the value of the isolated RhNUDX1 gene? Scientists knocked out the RhNUDX1 gene from one line of bred roses. They found that the new flowers barely emitted warning chemicals. In another experiment, they crossed Old Blush —a species with a rich fragrance—with the less aromatic Rosa wichuraiana . The offspring that produced the enzyme had sweet-smelling flowers. Those that did not produce the enzyme had no scent. Breeding roses with a strong fragrance is one thing. This discovery will help us better understand how plants use chemicals (like geraniol) to communicate with each other and attract pollinators.