Molecular Mechanisms of Temperature-Mediated Flowering Regulation: From Arabidopsis to Short-Day Crops.

Abstract

Temperature plays a pivotal role in plant growth and development, with flowering time being particularly sensitive to thermal changes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of temperature-regulated flowering is crucial for enhancing plant adaptability and improving productivity. This review systematically summarised the molecular mechanisms underlying flowering regulation by ambient temperature fluctuations (excluding vernalisation treatments typically requiring prolonged exposure to 0°C-6°C for weeks or months) in Arabidopsis and three key short-day crops: soybean (Glycine max), rice (Oryza sativa), and maize (Zea mays). We provide a comprehensive overview of the temperature sensors involved in flowering regulation, focusing on how key molecular components, including photoreceptors, transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, miRNAs, and hormone, mediate temperature responses that regulate flowering time. Although significant insights have been gained from Arabidopsis, understanding of these mechanisms in crops remains limited, hindering advances in developing temperature-adaptive varieties. We discuss the limitations of the current study and propose future research directions, including uncovering crop-specific temperature regulation mechanisms, studying flowering responses under dynamic conditions, and exploring strategies for breeding temperature-adaptive crops. By clarifying the flowering mechanisms that respond to non-vernalisation temperatures, this review aims to guide future efforts to improve crop resilience and adaptation strategies in the face of climate change.