Effects of ABA, NaCl and PEG on the steady-state transcript levels of <i>ASR</i> genes.

<p>One-week-old hydroponically grown seedlings were transferred to fresh Hoagland solution containing: no addition (white bars), 40 µM ABA (light gray bars), 0.2 M NaCl (dark gray bars), or 8% PEG 8000 (black bars). Leaves were harvested 24 h later and expression levels were determined as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0107117#s2" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a>. Data were normalized for each of the genes to their expression in young developing leaves, defined as 1. Data shown are average ± SE. Expression of each gene in response to plant treatment was analyzed separately using Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test. Bars with different letters represent statistically different values by (P≤0.05).</p

ASR1-overexpressing tomato plants have enhanced tolerance to water stress.

<p>Plants were grown in pots in the greenhouse using optimal irrigation for 17 days. Water was withheld for 22 days, following by rewatering for 17 days. Panels A and B show representative plants (left to right): wild type, <i>ASR1</i>-OE-31, <i>ASR1</i>-OE-12, <i>ASR1</i>-OE-16 after 22 days of dehydration (A) and 17 days of rewatering (B). Panel C, quantitative data of survival of three lines of <i>ASR1</i>-overexpressing (<i>ASR1</i>-OE) plants and four lines of <i>ASR1</i>-antisense (<i>ASR1</i>-AS) plants, measured at the end of the rewatering stage. Data shown are average ± SE. Bars with different letters represent statistically different values by Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test (P≤0.01).</p

Expression of the tomato <i>ASR</i> genes in flower organs.

<p>Flowers and developing leaves were harvested from greenhouse-grown tomato plants. Flowers were dissected, and steady-state levels of the indicated genes were determined. The expression levels were normalized for each of the genes to their expression in young developing leaves, defined as 1. Data shown are average ± SE. Bars with different letters represent statistically different values by Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test (P≤0.05).</p

Expression of the <i>ASR</i> genes in fruit development.

<p>Fruits and developing leaves were harvested from greenhouse-grown tomato plants, and steady-state levels of the indicated genes were determined. The expression levels were normalized for each of the genes to their expression in young developing leaves, defined as 1. Fruit stages were defined according to <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0107117#pone.0107117-Gillaspy1" target="_blank">[75]</a>: IG, immature green; MG, mature green; BR, breaker; OR, orange; RE, red. Data shown are average ± SE. Bars with different letters represent statistically different values by Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test (P≤0.05).</p