The effect of natural and artificial fruit dehiscence on floss properties, seed germination and protein expression in Calotropis procera

A method was established, based on artificial
fruit dehiscence, to collect seeds and silk fibers of C.
procera without any loss. The seeds and floss obtained by
this method were compared with those collected naturally.
Natural fruit dehiscence caused a marked decrease in seeds
and fibers yielded from C. procera. The seeds and fibers
obtained under artificial fruit dehiscence were approximately
sixfold higher than those obtained under natural
fruit dehiscence. Furthermore, the application of artificial
fruit dehiscence treatment had further advantages, such as a
decrease in fiber diameter, and an increase in fiber density
and cellulose content. However, this treatment had a slight
negative impact on seed biomass and fiber birefringence.
Fiber length, lignin and ash content of fibers were not
affected by artificial fruit dehiscence. Seed germinability
and seedling biomass were slightly decreased following
application of artificial fruit dehiscence in comparison with
natural fruit dehiscence. A significant difference was
observed between the two treatments in amylase activity,
soluble sugars and protein content. Some variation in
protein expression was also apparent. Artificial fruit
dehiscence lowered the expression of the short chain
dehydrogenase, elongation factor 1-alpha, and peptidylprolyl
cis–trans isomerase in comparison with natural
dehiscence. Conversely, the expression of chitinase was
enhanced in response to the artificial fruit dehiscence. Two
conserved protein regions (prrl and vvet) were also
observed.