Flowering Phenology - Insights from Gene Networks.
(A03-welch423961-oral)
Authors:
S.M. Welch* - Kansas State Univ.
Z. Dong - Kansas State Univ.
J.L. Roe - Kansas State Univ.
Abstract:
Previous investigations of flowering phenology have combined theory and observation of whole plant behavior in controlled and/or natural environments. Now the ability to dynamically monitor the expression levels of key flowering control genes is generating insight into the success of selected empiricisms along with opportunities to revise and extend them. In addition to a review of this topic, new modeling results will be presented from Arabidopsis thaliana (At) and Oryza sativa (rice, Os).
These results will quantitatively link (1) the external coincidence model of photoperiod determination to the AtCO gene in Arabidopsis, (2) long day (At) vs. short day (Os) behavior to the orthologous AtFT and OsHd3a genes, (3) the critical short day length parameter (used in some crop models) to gene expression data (in At and Os), (4) photothermal time to the interaction of the photoperiod and autonomous pathways (AtFCA and AtSOC1 genes), and (5) the AtAP1 and AtLFY genes as a putative switch controlling commitment to flowering. Future research opportunities will be discussed for (1) linking plant carbon and water status and to flowering time phenology and (2) downstream
determination of leaf appearance rates and kernel number.
Speaker Information: Stephen Welch, Kansas State Univ., Dept. Agronomy Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS 66502; Phone: 785-532-7236; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 3, 2003, 8:20 AM-12:00 PM Presentation Start: 8:50 AM
Keywords: simulation modeling; gene expresion time series; mathematical analysis; Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana
