ABSTRACT
Flowering is one of the most fascinating, yet complicated, processes in nature, ensuring seed production and species persistence. The process involves a variety of physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms regulating the proper timing and correct development of the reproductive organs. Over the last few decades, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of –owering have been studied by analyzing genetic variation in model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus (Boss et al. 2004; Sung and Amasino 2004; Amasino 2010; Irish 2010; Rijpkema et al. 2010; Wellmer and Riechmann 2010). These studies have led to the identi‹cation of components within individual signaling pathways that affect –owering and their positioning within molecular hierarchies. Furthermore, distinct signaling pathways have been shown to converge on activation of the same –owering-time genes (Mouradov et al. 2002; Wellmer and Riechmann 2010). A genetic survey of –owering mutants de‹ned the inductive photoperiod, extended exposure to cold, and gibberellins (GAs) as major factors promoting –owering in Arabidopsis (Koornneef et al. 1991). Further studies identi‹ed the effects of light quality, ambient temperature, stress, and other phytohormones on –owering-time regulation (Domagalska et al. 2010).
