Photoperiodism dynamics during the domestication and improvement of soybean

Soybean(Glycine max) is a facultative short-day plant with a sensitive photoperiod perception and reaction system, which allows it to adjust its physiological state and gene regulatory networks to seasonal and diurnal changes in environmental conditions. In the past few decades, soybean cultivation has spread from East Asia to areas throughout the world. Biologists and breeders must now confront the challenge of understanding the molecular mechanism of soybean photoperiodism and improving agronomic traits to enable this important crop to adapt to geographical and environmental changes. In this review, we summarize the genetic regulatory network underlying photoperiodic responses in soybean. Genomic and genetic studies have revealed that the circadian clock, in conjunction with the light perception pathways, regulates photoperiodic flowering. Here, we provide an annotated list of 844 candidate flowering genes in soybean, with their putative biological functions. Many photoperiod-related genes have been intensively selected during domestication and crop improvement. Finally, we describe recent progress in engineering photoperiod-responsive genes for improving agronomic traits to enhance geographic adaptation in soybean, as well as future prospects for research on soybean photoperiodic responses.

Photoperiod Mediates the Effects of Temperature and Light Intensity on the Proliferation of Ulva prolifera

In order to study the complex effects of photoperiod,temperature,and light intensity on the spore maturation and release number of Ulva prolifera,we cultured thalli segment(2–3 mm)under three different photoperiods(L:D=12:12,14:10 and 10:14),temperature(15℃(LT),25℃(MT)and 30℃(HT))and light intensity(100,200 and 400μmol m^(−2)s^(−1),noted as LL,ML and HL,respectively)conditions.Then the maturation time,spore release number and chlorophyll fluorescence were analyzed.The results suggested that:1)The spore maturation time was accelerated by higher temperature or higher light intensity from 62 h to 36 h,and changes in day length accelerated the spore maturation to a certain extent as compared with 12:12 light/dark cycle;2)Higher light intensity significantly decreased the chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv′/Fm′,NPQ,rETRmax andα)of the mature reproductive segment under 30℃with 12:12 light/dark cycle.But when in the other photoperiods(10:14 and 14:10 conditions),the inhibitory effects of high light intensity were alleviated significantly;3)The optimum condition for the spore maturation and release was 12:12 light/dark cycle,25℃,400μmol m^(−2)s^(−1),with both shorter and longer photoperiod reducing the spore release number;4)Higher light intensity significantly increased the spore release number under 25℃,but these effects were alleviated by 30℃treatment.This study is the first attempt to elucidate the coincidence effects of photoperiod,temperature and light intensity on the reproduction of Ulva,which would help to reveal the mechanism of the rapid proliferation of green tide.

Flowering-time regulation by the circadian clock:From Arabidopsis to crops

Precise timing of flowering in plants is critical for their growth and reproductive processes.One factor controlling flowering time is the cycle of light and darkness within a day,known as the photoperiod.Plants are classified into long-day,short-day,and day-neutral plants based on light requirements for floral initiation.Although the molecular mechanisms that govern this differentiation remain incompletely understood,studies have consistently shown that the circadian clock plays a central role in regulating photoperiod response across diverse plant species.However,there is a scarcity of reviews describing the regulatory network linking the circadian clock with photoperiodic flowering.This review summarizes that regulatory network,focusing on the distinct roles of clock genes in long-day and short-day plants.We also discuss the strategies of clock gene mutations contributing to geographic variation in longday and short-day crops.

Molecular mechanism of flowering time regulation in Brassica rapa:similarities and differences with Arabidopsis

Properly regulated flowering time is pivotal for successful plant reproduction.The floral transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth is regulated by a complex gene regulatory network that integrates environmental signals and internal conditions to ensure that flowering takes place under favorable conditions.Brassica rapa is a diploid Cruciferae species that includes several varieties that are cultivated as vegetable or oil crops.Flowering time is one of the most important agricultural traits of B.rapa crops because of its influence on yield and quality.The transition to flowering in B.rapa is regulated by several environmental and developmental cues,which are perceived by several signaling pathways,including the vernalization pathway,the autonomous pathway,the circadian clock,the thermosensory pathway,and gibberellin(GA)signaling.These signals are integrated to control the expression of floral integrators BrFTs and BrSOC1s to regulate flowering.In this review,we summarized current research advances on the molecular mechanisms that govern flowering time regulation in B.rapa and compare this to what is known in Arabidopsis.

FLOWERING LOCUS T(FT)in Photosensitive Type Chrysanthemum Accelerates Flowering in Arabidopsis

FLOWERING LOCUS T(FT)is an important factor for integrating flowering signals through the photoperiod pathway,which significantly promotes flowering.Most chrysanthemum varieties are short-day plants,sensitive to the photoperiod,which limits their ornamental and annual production supply.In this study,we aim to analyze the nutrients and flowering-related genes of chrysanthemums with different photoperiod types and to clone and verify the function of the flowering-related gene CmFT.We found that the formation of floral buds requires the accumulation of starch while consuming soluble sugars and the expression patterns of flowering-related genes GIGANTEA(GI),CONSTANS(CO),and FT in C.morifolium‘Zilian’and C.morifolium‘Zihongtuogui’had a certain synchronization during floral buds differentiation according to our quantitative validation,and the expression levels of CmGI,CmCO and CmFT in C.morifolium‘Zihongtuogui’were higher than those in C.morifolium.‘Zilian’in the later stage of differentiation.CmFT was cloned from photosensitive chrysanthemums-C.morifolium‘Zihongtuogui’and polypeptide alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that CmFT was clustered in FT-like subfamily.In further functional verification,we obtained two Arabidopsis transgenic lines.Our results showed that CmFT transgenic ft mutant lines can significantly accelerate flowering in Arabidopsis.Thus,we can initially confirm that CmFT plays an important role in promoting flowering,which may be the key reason for the photosensitivity of C.morifolium‘Zihongtuogui’.Overall,the results of this study are of great importance in revealing the flowering mechanism of different photoperiod types of chrysanthemums.

Common Organic Amendment (Rice Straw) Can Reduce Salinity Effects on Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Growth with or without Photoperiod Manipulation

Soil salinity is a major limiting factor for crop production in coastal areas of Bangladesh. Cheap and sustainable management of soil salinity is hence most sought out topics in agricultural research. Conceptualizing that idea in mind, a pot experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil, Water & Environment, University of Dhaka in order to analyze if common organic amendments (rice straw, saw dust) coupled with reduce photoperiod can mitigate salinity effect on the growth of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The experiment was set up following completely randomized design (CRD) with nine treatments and three replications containing Tc (Control), T1 (Ambient photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T2 (Reduced photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T3 (Ambient photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T4 (Reduced photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Rice straw), T5 (Ambient photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust), T6 (Reduced photoperiod + 110 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust), T7 (Ambient photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust) and T8 (Reduced photoperiod + 220 mM Salinity treatment + Saw dust). Organic amendments were used separately at the rate of 12 ton/ha. The highest plant height (98.67 cm), root length (12.5 cm), pod number (10.33), leaf area (13.99 cm2), fresh weight (680 kg/ha), dry weight (316.67 kg/ha) were recorded with the treatment T1 while the second-best treatment was treatment T2 (with highest harvest index 0.040) and these results were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In post-harvest soil, pH, EC, OC, OM;available N, P, K, S;total Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn were increased significantly in treatment T1. The overall results illustrated that the best growth and yield performances were achieved in the treatment T1 and T2.

Regulation of Reproduction in Delayed Gametophyte of Saccharina japonica (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae): Effects of Light Intensity, Quality and Photoperiod

Saccharina japonica gametophytes can survive a long period under unfavorable environmental conditions,while they also delay in growth and/or reproduction.Although the reproduction in delayed gametophyte of S.japonica was known to be strongly influenced by light intensity,light quality,and photoperiod,no previous studies have evaluated their interactive effects on gametogenesis.To evaluate these effects,we used an orthogonal experiment to expose delayed gametophytes of S.japonica to different light intensities,light qualities,and photoperiods for 12 days.The results showed that changes in light intensity rather than light quality and photoperiod significantly affected the relative growth rates of the delayed gametophytes.Blue light had the greatest promotion on reproduction rate.The optimal light conditions in the early vegetative growth phase in gametogenesis induction for the delayed gametophytes were at 60–80μmol photons m^(−2) s^(−1) with daylength of 12 or 16 hours under white or blue light.When the delayed gametophytes were maintained in a constant light condition from delayed state to gametogenesis,the beneficial photoperiods for vegetative growth and reproductive rate were both 16L(16 hours of light):8D(8 hours of dark).However,when the delayed S.japonica gametophytes achieve the optimal growth state during the first 6 days and then they were cultured at different light conditions for the following 6 days,the reproduction rate increased as the daylength decreased and attained a peak value in group of 8L:16D photoperiod,indicating that photoperiod adjustment at the transition period is crucial in the gametogenesis induction process of delayed gametophyte of S.japonica.

LHD3 Encoding a J-Domain Protein Controls Heading Date in Rice

Heading date is one of the most important agronomic traits of rice,which critically affects rice ecogeographical adaptation,yield and quality.In this study,a late heading date 3(lhd3)mutant was screened from the^(60)Co-γirradiation mutant library.The lhd3 delayed heading date in rice under both short day and long day conditions.Map-based cloning combined with Mutmap strategy was adopted to isolate the causal LHD3 gene.The LHD3 gene encodes a DNA_J domain protein,which was ubiquitously expressed in various plant organs,and dominant expressed in stems and leaves.Subcellular localization analysis showed that LHD3 was localized to nucleus,indicating that LHD3 may interact with other elements to regulate the expression of flowering genes.The transcriptions of the heading activators Ehd1,Hd3a and RFT1 significantly decreased in the lhd3 mutant,suggesting that LHD3 may control the heading date through the Ehd1-Hd3a/RFT1 photoperiodic flowering pathway.The variation and haplotype analyses of the genomic region of LHD3 showed that there were 7 haplotypes in the LHD3 region from 4702 accessions.The haplotypes of LHD3 can be divided into two classes:class a and class b,and the heading dates of these two classes were significantly different.Further study showed that two single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),SNP10(G2100C)in Hap II and SNP3(C861T)in Hap VII,may be the functional sites causing early and late heading in accessions.Nucleotide diversity analysis showed LHD3 had been selected in the indica population,rather than in the japonica population.Therefore,the present study sheds light on the regulation of LHD3 on heading date in rice and suggests that LHD3 is a novel promising new target for rice molecular design and breeding improvement.

Regulation of soybean stem growth habit:A ten-year progress report

Stem growth habit dictates plant architecture and influences flowering and podding(seed setting),making it an essential morphological and breeding agronomic trait of soybean(Glycine max).Stem growth habit in soybean is affected by photoperiod and environment and is determined by genetic variation at major genes.Classical genetic analysis identified two critical loci,designated Determinacy 1(Dt1)and Determinacy 2(Dt2).Dt1 is an ortholog of Arabidopsis thaliana TERMINAL FLOWER1(TFL1)and specifies an indeterminate stem growth habit,whereas Dt2 specifies a semi-determinate growth habit.MADS-box proteins,including Dt2,SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO1(GmSOC1)and MADS-box genes downregulated by E1(GmMDE),repress Dt1 expression.Photoreceptors encoded by the E3 and E4 loci regulate the expression of soybean FLOWERING LOCUS T(GmFT)orthologs via circadian clock genes and E1,and GmFTs compete with Dt1 to regulate stem growth habit.Study of the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of stem growth habit in soybean has focused on the repression of Dt1 expression.Here we provide an overview of progress made in elucidating the genetic and molecular bases of stem growth habit in soybean,with emphasis on the molecular components responsible for integrating photoperiodic flowering and stem growth habit.

Overexpression of Wheat TaELF3-1BL Delays Flowering in Arabidopsis

EARLY FLOWERING 3(ELF3),a light zeitnehmer(time-taker)gene,regulates circadian rhythm and photoperiodic flowering in Arabidopsis,rice,and barley.The three orthologs of ELF3(TaELF3-1AL,TaELF3-1BL,and TaELF3-1DL)have been identified in wheat too,and one gene,TaELF3-1DL,has been associated with heading date.However,the basic characteristics of these three genes and the roles of the other two genes,TaELF3-1BL and,TaELF3-1AL,remain unknown.Therefore,the present study obtained the coding sequences of the three orthologs(TaELF3-1AL,TaELF3-1BL,and TaELF3-1DL)of ELF3 from bread wheat and characterized them and investigated the role of TaELF3-1BL in Arabidopsis.Protein sequence comparison revealed similarities among the three TaELF3 genes of wheat;however,they were different from the Arabidopsis ELF3.Real-time quantitative PCR revealed TaELF3 expression in all wheat tissues tested,with the highest expression in young spikes;the three genes showed rhythmic expression patterns also.Furthermore,the overexpression of the TaELF3-1BL gene in Arabidopsis delayed flowering,indicating their importance in flowering.Subsequent overexpression of TaELF3-1BL in the Arabidopsis ELF3 nonfunctional mutant(elf3 mutant)eliminated its early flowering phenotype,and slightly delayed flowering.The wild-type Arabidopsis overexpressing TaELF3-1BL demonstrated reduced expression levels of flowering-related genes,such as CONSTANS(AtCO),FLOWERING LOCUS T(AtFT),and GIGANTEA(AtGI).Thus,the study characterized the three TaELF3 genes and associated TaELF3-1BL with flowering in Arabidopsis,suggesting a role in regulating flowering in wheat too.These findings provide a basis for further research on TaELF3 functions in wheat.

A Farmer’s Approach to Detecting Photoperiod Sensitivity in Rice (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) Landraces

Most indigenous rice landraces are sensitive to photoperiod during short day seasons,and this sensitivity is more pronounced in indica than in japonica landraces.Attempts to identify photoperiod sensitive(PPS)cultivars based on the life history stages of the rice plant,and several models and indices based on phenology and day length have not been precise,and in some cases yield counterfactual inferences.Following the empirical method of traditional Asian rice farmers,the author has developed a robust index,based on the sowing and flowering dates of a large number of landraces grown in different seasons from 2020 to 2023,to contradistinguish PPS from photoperiod insensitive cultivars.Unlike other indices and models of photoperiod sensitivity,the index does not require the presumed duration of different life history stages of the rice plant but relies only on the flowering dates and the number of days till flowering of a rice cultivar sown on different dates to consistently identify photoperiod sensitive cultivars.

Reproductive polyphenism and its advantages in aphids:Switching between sexual and asexual reproduction

Reproductive polyphenism,which allows one genotype to produce sexual and asexual morphs,is an extreme case of phenotypic plasticity and is commonly observed in aphids.Aphids are typical species that switch these reproductive modes,and the pathway orientation is triggered by the environmental conditions(mainly photoperiod and temperature).The typical arm ual life of aphids in eludes a successi on of parthenogenetic gen erations duri ng the spri ng and summer and a single sexual generation in autumn.In this review,we describe how the environmental cues orientate the reproductive mode of aphids from photoperiodic perception to endocrine regulation,and how juvenile hormones may act on the target cells(oocytes)to initiate the gametogenesis and embryogenesis in sexual and asexual reproduction.We also discuss the paradox of sex,especially the advantages of sexual reproduction in aphids.With the recent development of genomic resources in aphids,many potential genes involved in the reproductive polyphenism will enter the public's awareness.In particular,we describe a novel RNAi method in aphids,which may provide a molecular technique for determining the developmental fate and multiple reproductive strategies.

Growth and phosphate uptake kinetics of Microcystis aeruginosa under various environmental conditions

Growth and uptake of exogenous phosphate by Microcystis aeruginosa in batch culture under different temperature, photoperiod, and turbulence were studied by the method of phosphate isotope tracer. Relatively high temperature, long photoperiod and strong turbulence increased the cell density of M. aeruginosa in these batch cultures. The initial rapid uptake of phosphate by M. aeruginosa was independent of the temperature, photoperiod, and turbulence. Similarly, maximum exogenous phosphate uptake was not related to these environmental factors. However, elevated temperature and turbulence shortened the time, required to obtain maximum P accumulation. The growth of M. aeruginosa could alleviate the phosphorous leakage. Total amounts of exogenous phosphate uptake to M. aeruginosa and the phosphorus leakage of M. aeruginosa were significantly influenced by the growth state of M. aeruginosa closely correlated with the environmental factors. The maximum volume of exogenous phosphate uptake to M. aeruginosa was 46% of added exogenous phosphate in water with 16 hours of photoperiod. Thus, total amounts of exogenous phosphate uptake to M. aeruginosa were more strongly affected by the photoperiod length than temperature and turbulence.

The CCT domain-containing gene family has large impacts on heading date, regional adaptation, and grain yield in rice

There are 41 members of the CCT（CO, CO-like, and TOC1） domain-containing gene family in rice, which are divided into three subfamilies： COL（CONSTANS-like）, CMF（CCT motif family）, and PRR（pseudoresponse regulator）. The first flowering gene to be isolated by map-based cloning, Heading date 1（Hd1）, which is the orthologue of CO in rice, belongs to COL. The central regulator of plant development, Ghd7, belongs to CMF. The major role in controlling rice distribution to high latitudes, Ghd7.1/PRR37, belongs to PRR. Both of Hd1, Ghd7 and Ghd7.1 simultaneously control grain number, plant height, and the heading date. To date, 13 CCT family genes from these three subfamilies have been shown to regulate flowering. Some of them have pleiotropic effects on grain yield, plant height, and abiotic stresses, and others function as circadian oscillators. There are two independent photoperiod flowering pathways that are mediated by GI-Hd1-Hd3 a/RFT and GI-Ehd1-Hd3 a/RFT in rice. CCT family genes are involved in both pathways. The latest study reveals that protein interaction between Hd1 and Ghd7 integrates the two pathways. CCT family genes are rich in natural variation because rice cultivars have been subjected to natural and artificial selection for different day lengths in the process of domestication and improvement. Alleles of several crucial CCT family genes such as Hd1, Ghd7, and Ghd7.1 exhibit geographic distribution patterns and are highly associated with yield potentials. In addition, CCT family genes are probably involved in the responses to abiotic stress, which should be emphasized in future work. In general, CCT family genes play important roles in regulating flowering, plant growth, and grain yield. The functional identification and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of CCT family genes would help construct a flowering regulatory network and maximize their contribution to rice production.

CCT family genes in cereal crops: A current overview

Control of flowering time is crucial for reproductive success of cereal crops, and has a significant impact on grain yield as well as adaptation to diverse environmental conditions.Plants integrate signals from both environmental cues and endogenous regulatory pathways to fine-tune flowering time. The CCT domain originally described to a 43-amino acid sequence at the C-terminus of three Arabidopsis proteins, namely CONSTANS(CO),CO-LIKE, and TIMING OF CAB1(TOC1). The CCT domain-containing genes(CCT genes),which encode transcription co-factors, are the major genetic determinants that modulate flowering time, and this in turn enables plants to effectively expand their territory to take advantage of favorable habitats. Moreover, certain CCT genes have pleiotropic effects on morphological traits and confer resistance/tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses. CCT genes can be classified into three families, namely COL(CONSTANS-like), PRR(Pseudo-response regulator), and CMF(CCT motif family),based on their non-CCT domains. During domestication, natural and artificial selection resulted in reduced nucleotide diversity of CCT genes in modern cultivated cereals than their wild types. Here, we review the features and functions of CCT genes in cereal crops and propose future research to focus on CCT genes and their utilization in crop breeding.

Thoughts and Practice on Some Problems about Research and Application of Two-Line Hybrid Rice

The main problems about research and application of two-line hybrid rice were reviewed, including the confusing nomenclature and male sterile lines classification, the unclear characteristics of photoperiod and temperature responses and the unsuitable site selection for male sterile line and hybrid dce seed production. In order to efficiently and accurately use dual-purpose genic male sterile lines, four types, including PTGMS （photo-thermo-sensitive genic male sterile rice）, TGMS （thermo-sensitive genic male sterile rice）, reverse PTGMS and reverse TGMS, were proposed. A new idea for explaining the mechanism of sterility in dual-purpose hybrid rice was proposed. The transition from sterile to fertile was involved in the cooperative regulation of major-effect sterile genes and photoperiod and/or temperature sensitive ones. The minor-effect genes with accumulative effect on sterility were important factors that affected the critical temperature of sterility transfer. In order to make better use of dual-purpose lines, the characterization of responses to photoperiod and temperature of PTGMS should be made and the identification method for the characterization of photoperiod and temperature responses of PTGMS should also be put forward. The optimal ecological site for seed production could be determined according to the historical climate data and the requirements for the meteorological conditions during the different periods of seed production.

QTL Identification of the Insensitive Response to Photoperiod and Temperature in Soybean by Association Mapping

The insensitive response to photoperiod and temperature is an important quantitative trait for soybean in wide adaptation breeding. The natural variation in response to photoperiod and temperature was detected using 275 accessions of soybean [Glycine max （L.） Merrill] from China. Genome-wide association mapping, based on population structure analysis, was carried out using 118 SSR markers by the TASSEL GLM （general linear model） program. Nine SSR markers （P〈0.01） were associated with the value of the response to photoperiod and temperature （VRPT） caused by days to flowering （DF）, among which, Satt308 （LG M）, Sattl50 （LG M） and Satt440 （LG l）, were identified in both 2006 and 2007. Twelve SSR markers （P〈0.01） were associated with VRPT caused by days to maturity （DM）, among which three markers, Satt387 （LG N）, Satt307 （LG C2） and AW310961 （LG J）, were detected in both 2006 and 2007. In addition, a total of 20 elite alleles were screened out over 2006 and 2007 for being associated with an insensitive response to photoperiod and temperature （IRPT） caused by DF and a total of seven different elite alleles were screened out for being associated with IRPT caused by DM. Among these elite alleles, five alleles, Satt150-244, Satt308-164, Satt308-206, Satt440-176, and Satt440-206, were associated with IRPT caused by DF and were identified in both years, but only one allele, Satt307-170, was identified as being associated with an IRPT caused by DM. Based on these elite alleles, a set of typical accessions were screened out. The result about the genetic basis of IRPT is meaningful for soybean wide adaption breeding.

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Photoperiod Sensitivity in Maize(Zea mays L.)

Photoperiod sensitivity in maize plays an essential role in utilizing tropic and sub-tropic germplasm to temperate areas. This study aims to identify and map the QTLs responsible for the characteristics measuring photoperiod sensitivity, days from planting to silking （SD）, photoperiod response coefficient of silking （PRC）, and anthesis-silking interval （ASI）. Using the population derived from Zheng 58, photoperiod-insensitive parent, and Ya 8701, photoperiod-sensitive parent, a linkage map was constructed with 93 single sequence repeat （SSR） markers. Phenotyping of 296 F2-3 families of the population in replicated-field test was conducted in both long-day （Beijing, China） and short-day （Sichuan, China） conditions. Ten QTLs were identified to be associated with the SD and ASI on chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 in the longday conditions, and 11 QTLs were detected to be related to the SD and ASI on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 in the short-day conditions, respectively. A QTL associated with the PRC as a major effect in the long-day conditions located in the same position as the QTL related to the SD and ASI in the map, and was on chromosome 10 linked with marker bnlg1655. Using these QTLs in the marker-assisted selection, the photoperiod sensibility could be reduced by selection of the alleles responsible for the SD, PRC, and ASI in breeding programs.

CmFTL2 is involved in the photoperiod- and sucrose-mediated control of flowering time in chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum genome harbors three FT-like genes:CmFTL1 and CmFTL3 are thought to act as regulators of floral induction under long-day(LD)and short-day(SD)conditions,respectively,whereas the function of CmFTL2 is currently unclear.The objective of the present research was to explore the function of CmFTL2 in the determination of flowering time of the photo-insensitive chrysanthemum cultivar‘Floral Yuuka’,both in response to variation in the photoperiod and to the exogenous provision of sucrose.Spraying leaves of‘Floral Yuuka’plants with 50 mM sucrose accelerated flowering and increased the level of CmFTL2 transcription in the leaf more strongly than either CmFTL1 or FTL3 under both long and SD conditions.Transcription profiling indicated that all three CmFTL genes were upregulated during floral induction.The relationship of the CmFTL2 sequence with that of other members of the PEBP family suggested that its product contributes to the florigen rather than to the anti-florigen complex.The heterologous expression of CmFTL2 in the Arabidopsis thaliana ft-10 mutant rescued the mutant phenotype,showing that CmFTL2 could compensate for the absence of FT.These results suggest that CmFTL2 acts as a regulator of floral transition and responds to both the photoperiod and sucrose.

Analysis of the independent-and interactive-photo-thermal effects on soybean flowering

Soybean（Glycine max（L.） Merr.） is a typical short-day and warm season plant, and the interval between emergence and flowering has long been known to be regulated by environmental factors, primarily photoperiod and temperature. While the effects of photoperiod and temperature on soybean flowering have been extensively studied, a dissection of the component photo-thermal effects has not been documented for Chinese germplasm. Our objective of the current study was to evaluate the independent- and interactive-photo-thermal responses of 71 cultivars from 6 ecotypes spanning the soybean production regions in China. These cultivars were subjected in pot experiments to different temperature regimes by planting in spring（low temperature（LT）） and summer（high temperature（HT））, and integrating with short day（SD, 12 h）, natural day（ND, variable day-length）, and long day（LD, 16 h） treatments over two years. The duration of the vegetative phase from emergence to first bloom（R1） was recorded, and the photo-thermal response was calculated. The outcome of this characterization led to the following conclusions：（1） There were significant differences in photo-thermal response among the different ecotypes. High-latitude ecotypes were less sensitive to the independent- and interactive-photo-thermal effects than low-latitude ecotypes; and（2） there was an interaction between photoperiod and temperature, with the effect of photoperiod on thermal sensitivity being greater under the LD than the SD condition, and with the effect of temperature on photoperiodic sensitivity being greater under the LT than the HT condition. The strengths and limitations of this study are discussed in terms of implications for current knowledge and future research directions. The study provides better understanding of photo-thermal effects on flowering in soybean genotypes from different ecotypes throughout China and of the implications for their adaptation more broadly.