Early Flowering in Globe Artichoke Linked to Lower Need for Cold Weather

Greg Howard
20th September, 2024

Early Flowering in Globe Artichoke Linked to Lower Need for Cold Weather

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on understanding early bolting in globe artichokes, a key breeding objective
  • Early-bolting globe artichokes require less cold exposure (vernalization) to flower compared to late-bolting types
  • The research identified key genetic regulators (SOC1, FUL, AP1) linked to the flowering process, aiding future breeding programs
Understanding the timing of flowering in plants is crucial for optimizing agricultural practices and improving crop yields. The coordination of flowering time with environmental and developmental cues is a critical life-history trait that has evolved to maximize reproductive success[2]. In the globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.), early bolting, which is the premature transition from vegetative growth to flowering, is a major breeding objective. Researchers from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universitat Politècnica de València have recently conducted a study to better understand the mechanisms behind early bolting in globe artichokes[1]. The study aimed to define morphological markers to monitor the vegetative-to-reproductive phase transition at the shoot apex and link these to expression changes of homologs of key Arabidopsis flowering regulators SOC1, FUL, and AP1. These genes are known to play significant roles in the flowering process of Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism extensively studied for its flowering mechanisms[2][3]. The researchers developed an experimental setup where control and vernalized plants could grow under comparable conditions, allowing for a fair comparison of the vegetative-to-reproductive phase transition between early- and late-bolting genotypes. Vernalization, the process by which prolonged exposure to cold induces flowering, is a well-known requirement for many plant species, including Arabidopsis[2]. In Arabidopsis, vernalization leads to the competence of the meristem to flower by regulating genes such as FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 (SOC1)[2]. Similarly, the legume Medicago truncatula also requires vernalization for flowering, although its molecular mechanisms differ slightly from those in Arabidopsis[4]. This study on globe artichokes sought to determine if similar vernalization requirements and genetic mechanisms were at play. The researchers found that early-bolting genotypes of globe artichokes have a significantly lower vernalization requirement compared to late-bolting genotypes. This supports the hypothesis that the early-bolting trait is at least partly due to alterations in the network controlling the vernalization response. By examining the expression changes of SOC1, FUL, and AP1 homologs, the study provided insights into how these genetic components are regulated during the vegetative-to-reproductive transition in globe artichokes. The findings from this study are significant as they offer a clearer understanding of the genetic and environmental factors influencing early bolting in globe artichokes. By identifying and characterizing the homologs of key Arabidopsis flowering regulators, the researchers have provided valuable tools for breeding programs aimed at developing early-bolting globe artichoke varieties. This knowledge can be applied to manage flowering time more effectively, thereby potentially increasing crop productivity under various environmental conditions. In summary, the study by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universitat Politècnica de València has advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying early bolting in globe artichokes. By linking morphological markers to the expression of key flowering regulators and developing an experimental setup for comparable growth conditions, the researchers have provided a robust framework for future breeding efforts. This work builds on previous research on flowering time regulation in other plant species, such as Arabidopsis and Medicago, and highlights the importance of vernalization and genetic regulation in the flowering process[2][3][4].

AgricultureGeneticsPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) A reduced vernalization requirement is a key component of the early-bolting trait in globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus).

Published 20th September, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110829

Related Studies

2) Seasonal and developmental timing of flowering.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-313X.2010.04148.x

3) The control of flowering time by environmental factors.

https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.13461

4) Medicago truncatula SOC1 Genes Are Up-regulated by Environmental Cues That Promote Flowering.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00496


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙