PubMed · 2026-06-14
Researchers identified nine genes in tea plants that control leaf shape and development, finding that activating one gene (CsGIF5) produces more elongated leaves — a discovery that could guide breeding of tea cultivars with targeted leaf characteristics affecting harvest and flavor.
Nine GIF genes were identified in tea plants distributed across four chromosomes, including two pairs that arose from gene duplication — suggesting the family expanded specifically within tea.
CsGIF3 was consistently upregulated under both drought (PEG-simulated) and salt (NaCl) stress across tissues, implicating it in abiotic stress tolerance.
Overexpressing CsGIF5 in Arabidopsis produced measurably more elongated leaves and altered developmental timing, while CsGIF1 overexpression had no significant effect on leaf shape.
