Open AccessMaize adaptation across temperate climates was obtained via expression of two florigen genes
Author(s) -
Sara Castelletti,
Aude CoupelLedru,
Ítalo Stefanine Correia Granato,
Carine Palaffre,
Llorenç CabreraBosquet,
Chiara Tonelli,
Stéphane Nicolas,
François Tardieu,
Claude Welcker,
Lucio Conti
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.587
H-Index - 233
eISSN - 1553-7404
pISSN - 1553-7390
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008882
Subject(s) - biology , temperate climate , adaptation (eye) , allele , gene , arabidopsis , range (aeronautics) , arabidopsis thaliana , selection (genetic algorithm) , genetics , botany , mutant , materials science , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , computer science , composite material
Expansion of the maize growing area was central for food security in temperate regions. In addition to the suppression of the short-day requirement for floral induction, it required breeding for a large range of flowering time that compensates the effect of South-North gradients of temperatures. Here we show the role of a novel florigen gene, ZCN12 , in the latter adaptation in cooperation with ZCN8 . Strong eQTLs of ZCN8 and ZCN12 , measured in 327 maize lines, accounted for most of the genetic variance of flowering time in platform and field experiments. ZCN12 had a strong effect on flowering time of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants; a path analysis showed that it directly affected maize flowering time together with ZCN8 . The allelic composition at ZCN QTLs showed clear signs of selection by breeders. This suggests that florigens played a central role in ensuring a large range of flowering time, necessary for adaptation to temperate areas.