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Article|23 May 2025|OPEN
CmARF3–CmTCP7 module regulates flowering time in chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Chang Tian1,2,3,4,6 , Lisheng Zhai1,2,3,4,6 , Jingjing Wang1,2,3,4,6 , Wenjing Zhu1,2,3,4 , Chunmei Shi1,2,3,4 , Jiafu Jiang1,2,3,4 , Kunkun Zhao1,2,3,4 , Fei Li1,2,3,4 , Lijie Zhou1,2,3,4 , Aiping Song1,2,3,4 , Guosheng Xiong5 , Shengben Li5 , , Fadi Chen1,2,3,4 , , Sumei Chen,1,2,3,4 ,
1National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics & Germplasm Enhancement and Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210095, China
2College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210095, China
3Key Laboratory of Flower Biology and Germplasm Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210095, China
4Key Laboratory of Biology of Ornamental Plants in East China, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210095, China
5Plant Phenomics Research Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Xuanwu District, Nanjing 210095, China
6These authors contributed equally: Chang Tian, Lisheng Zhai, and Jingjing Wang
*Corresponding author. E-mail: shengbenli@njau.edu.cn,chenfd@njau.edu.cn,chensm@njau.edu.cn

Horticulture Research 12,
Article number: uhaf095 (2025)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf095
Views: 1748

Received: 30 Nov 2024
Accepted: 19 Mar 2025
Published online: 23 May 2025

Abstract

The precise timing of flowering in response to environment plays a crucial role in the reproductive processes of plants. The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-FD module is a well-established key node in the photoperiod-mediated pathway. However, the identity of novel partners involved in this network and its regulatory mechanisms remain elusive in most nonmodel species. Here, we found that TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR7 (CmTCP7) functions as a floral repressor in Chrysanthemum morifolium. Its upstream transcriptional regulator AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR3 (CmARF3) promotes flowering by directly repressing CmTCP7 expression. The expression levels of both genes are short-day inducible. Interestingly, FLOWERING LOCUS T-like3 (CmFTL3) interacts with FD-like1 (CmFDL1), which activates flowering-accelerating gene Chrysanthemum Dendrathema MADS111-like (CmCDM111L). Meanwhile, CmTCP7 interacts with CmFTL3 and CmFDL1, delaying the CmFTL3 and CmFDL1 complex-promoted flowering in chrysanthemum “Jinba.” These findings reveal a novel regulatory module controlling photoperiod-dependent flowering in chrysanthemum.