Apoptosis-like DNA fragmentation in leaves and floral organs precedes their developmental senescence

We investigated the senescence of flag leaves of durum wheat (Triticum durum) during grain-filling, and of petal-like ray flowers of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) at anthesis. In both systems, we observe cleavage of DNA to high molecular weight fragments, followed by further degradation to nucleosomal fragments (laddering), a classical hallmark of apoptosis. We show that DNA fragmentation in such specialised leaves is triggered early in organ development, before the appearance of visual symptoms of senescence. Our observations support the hypothesis that senescence and cell death are part of the plant developmental program, activated by developmental cues.