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Genetic and gene expression analysis of flowering time regulation by light quality in lentil

Citation

Yuan, HY and Caron, CT and Ramsay, L and Fratini, R and Perez de la Vega, M and Vandenberg, A and Weller, JL and Bett, KE, Genetic and gene expression analysis of flowering time regulation by light quality in lentil, Annals of Botany, 128, (4) pp. 481-495. ISSN 1095-8290 (2021) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

Copyright 2021 the Authors

DOI: doi:10.1093/aob/mcab083

Abstract

Background and Aims

Flowering time is important due to its roles in plant adaptation to different environments and subsequent formation of crop yield. Changes in light quality affect a range of developmental processes including flowering time, but little is known about light quality-induced flowering time control in lentil. This study aims to investigate the genetic basis for differences in flowering response to light quality in lentil.

Methods

We explored variation in flowering time caused by changes in red/far-red-related light quality environments of a lentil interspecific recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between Lens culinaris cv. Lupa and L. orientalis accession BGE 016880. A genetic linkage map was constructed and then used for identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with flowering time regulation under different light quality environments. Differential gene expression analysis through transcriptomic study and RT-qPCR were used to identify potential candidate genes.

Key Results

QTL mapping located 13 QTLs controlling flower time under different light quality environments, with phenotypic variance explained ranging from 1.7 to 62.9 %. Transcriptomic profiling and gene expression analysis for both parents of this interspecific RIL population identified flowering-related genes showing environment–specific differential expression (flowering DEGs). One of these, a member of the florigen gene family FTa1 (LcFTa1), was located close to three major QTLs. Furthermore, gene expression results suggested that two other florigen genes (LcFTb1 and LcFTb2), MADS-box transcription factors such as LcAGL6/13d, LcSVPb, LcSOC1b and LcFULb, as well as bHLH transcription factor LcPIF6 and Gibberellin 20 oxidase LcGA20oxC,G may also be involved in the light quality response.

Conclusions

Our results show that a major component of flowering time sensitivity to light quality is tightly linked to LcFTa1 and associated with changes in its expression. This work provides a foundation for crop improvement of lentil with better adaptation to variable light environments.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:flowering time, light quality, R/FR, QTL analysis, RNAseq, transcriptome, differential gene expression, Lens culinaris, Lens orientalis
Research Division:Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Research Group:Crop and pasture production
Research Field:Crop and pasture improvement (incl. selection and breeding)
Objective Division:Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:Forestry
Objective Field:Integration of farm and forestry
UTAS Author:Weller, JL (Associate Professor Jim Weller)
ID Code:147251
Year Published:2021
Web of Science® Times Cited:5
Deposited By:Plant Science
Deposited On:2021-10-20
Last Modified:2021-11-16
Downloads:0

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