Joint research conducted at by 2 Wageningen UR Institutes, the ATO and Plant Research International has provided the basis on which to develop a quick genetic test to determine flower quality and shelf-life very precisely and independently of external flower appearance. This is achieved by determining the relative activity of the crucial genes that control particular stages in flower development, from the bud stage to senence. The responsible genes have been identified through DNA microarrays. By placing the identified genes that are only active in the bud stage at 8 c’clock , then the genes that are active when the flower is mature at 12 o’clock and finally those that become active when the flower starts to wilt at 4 o’clock, flower quality now mirrors the clock auctions! Erik Toussaini, Plant Research International E-mail info@plant.wag-ur.nl