PpSPL1 and PpSPL15 inhibit peach branching by increasing strigolactone synthesis.

PpSPL1 and PpSPL15 inhibit peach branching by directly binding to and upregulating the expression of strigolactone (SL) synthesis gene PpLBO1. Branch number is a crucial agronomic trait that influences tree architecture, directly affecting fruit yield and quality. It remains unknown whether SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL), an important transcription factor in determining plant architecture, is involved in the peach branching process.