Varietal genotype determines transcriptional and metabolic regulation in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) under cold acclimation

Freezing damage is a crucial factor in the cultivation of perennial crops. Overwintering plants acclimate to decreasing temperatures in their environment and thus, prevent freezing damage of plant tissue. To assess transcriptional and metabolic changes in meristematic tissue (crowns) of octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.), acclimation experiments were carried out at above-zero temperature (2 °C) using three cultivars with contrasting cold tolerance: ‘Elsanta’