New insights into how high temperatures delay flowering in Osmanthus Fragrans

As global temperatures rise, the ability to understand how plants respond to heat has never been more critical. A recent study has uncovered a molecular mechanism by which elevated temperatures inhibit flowering in Osmanthus fragrans, a beloved ornamental plant. The research highlights how the OfC3H49 gene, activated by heat, suppresses flowering by inhibiting vital flowering-related genes. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of how temperature controls flowering but also paves the way for developing climate-resilient plant varieties and improving ornamental plant cultivation strategies.

For years, researchers have known that temperature influences flowering in plants, but the precise molecular pathways remain elusive, especially in ornamental species like Osmanthus fragrans. While some plants bloom earlier with warmer temperatures, others experience delayed flowering. This variation in response is particularly concerning in the face of climate change. Understanding the genetic networks behind these responses is essential, as it could help improve plant resilience. Given these challenges, in-depth research into temperature-sensitive genes is crucial for advancing agricultural practices.

Published (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae273) in Horticulture Research on January 1, 2025, this study conducted by researchers from Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University focuses on Osmanthus fragrans, a plant known for its varying flowering patterns under different temperatures. Using transcriptomic analysis, the team identified the OfC3H49 gene, which plays a central role in delaying flowering by suppressing the expression of key flowering genes. Their findings reveal a novel molecular module—OfWRKY17-OfC3H49—that orchestrates this temperature-induced flowering inhibition.

This research uncovers a critical mechanism behind the delayed flowering of Osmanthus fragrans when exposed to high temperatures. The team identified OfC3H49, a gene that is upregulated under heat stress and acts as a transcriptional repressor. By binding to the promoter of the OfSOC1B gene, a key regulator of flowering, OfC3H49 suppresses its expression, delaying the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. The study further revealed that the WRKY transcription factor OfWRKY17 plays a pivotal role in activating OfC3H49 under heat stress. Overexpression of both genes in transgenic Arabidopsis plants resulted in delayed flowering, confirming their regulatory roles. These findings enhance our understanding of the complex genetic interactions that govern temperature-responsive flowering in plants, offering new avenues for enhancing plant resilience to heat stress in the future.

Dr. Bin Dong, a leading researcher in plant molecular biology, stated, “This discovery not only enriches our understanding of temperature-regulated flowering in ornamental plants but also offers essential insights for developing heat-tolerant varieties. As climate change accelerates, this knowledge is crucial for ensuring stable production of both crops and ornamental plants in a warming world.”

The insights from this study could have far-reaching implications for plant breeding, especially in developing crops and ornamental plants that can withstand rising temperatures. By targeting the regulatory pathways involving OfC3H49 and OfWRKY17, breeders may be able to create varieties of Osmanthus and other species better adapted to a changing climate. This research lays the foundation for breeding strategies that promote plant resilience, helping to secure food production and preserve the aesthetic value of ornamental plants in the face of global temperature shifts.

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References

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae273

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae273

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31902057 and 32072615), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. LQ19C160012), and the key research and development program of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. 2021C02071).

About Horticulture Research

Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2023. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.