Contrasting gene expression patterns during floral induction in two genotypes reveal putative flowering regulators.

is a close diploid relative of the tetraploid crop . Owing to its reproducible germination and seedling development, it becomes a promising model for studying floral induction, providing a basis for the comparison with . Two genotypes differ in photoperiodic requirement: 283 accelerates flowering under long days, whereas 459 flowers earlier under short days. This study conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic and hormonomic analysis of floral induction in the long-day 283 and compared the findings to previous experiments with the short-day . Phytohormone concentrations and gene expression profiles during floral induction were largely similar between the two genotypes. However, a subset of genes exhibited contrasting expression patterns, aligning with the genotypes' differing photoperiodic requirements. These genes, predominantly homologs of flowering-related genes in , were activated under long days in 283 and under short days in 459. Notably, the contrasting expression of the gene, which was previously shown to induce precocious flowering in , confirmed its role as a floral activator, despite its low expression levels.