Fig. 2

Transcriptomic comparison of meristem-enriched samples from F and NF axillary meristems and tulip daughter bulbs during the growth season. (A) Graphic representation of the simultaneous development of mother plant, F, and NF daughter bulbs during a growth season. Sampling times are indicated as WAP = Weeks After Planting. Mother bulbs were planted in early December (0 WAP). During winter, a shoot formed by three or four leaves slowly unfolds (10 WAP) and, in spring, a flower stalk elongates until the blooming stage (18 WAP). Subsequently, the mother plant starts to senesce, transferring its nutrients to the growing daughter bulbs (32 WAP). After a period of dormancy lasting for the whole autumn and winter, future F buds (in blue) undergo sustained growth until maturity, forming large bulbs. In late spring, flower induction occurs (24 WAP), and a flower bud is formed at the SAM. NF buds (in green) resume their growth more slowly. This results in a smaller bulb which, at maturity, does not form a flower, but one flat leaf instead. (B) Principal Component Analysis (PCA) visualizing the transcriptomic changes of F and NF daughter bulbs over time. Numbers indicate the sampling points in WAP