Recent advances in molecular events of fruit abscission

It is widely accepted that fruit abscission is a highly regulated developmental process that is both influenced and activated in response to changing environment and plays crucial roles in the health and reproductive success of plants. Recent evidences showed that numerous genes related to metabolic and signalling pathways were coordinately implicated in regulating fruit abscission. Cross talks within hormones, between saccharides and hormones, as well as between polyamines and ethylene result in synergetic or antagonistic interactions which together play an important role in adjusting fruit abscission. Although hormones are the most studied internal factors related to abscission, the role of saccharides and polyamines during fruit abscission is emerging now. The characterizations of the molecular mechanisms of regulating fruit abscission are essential to develop effective strategies for controlling this process in plants.