Local adaptation of the critical day length for flowering based on robust and flexible circadian system

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06864
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Plant molecular biology/Plant physiology
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2017); Nagoya University (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Muranaka Tomoaki 京都大学, 生態学研究センター, 特定研究員 (50761938)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 光周性 / 概日時計 / 地域適応 / アオウキクサ / 発光レポーター

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Organisms on the earth detect variation in day-length and anticipate upcoming seasonal changes. The critical day-lengths of photoperiodic responses often show a latitudinal cline due to the local adaptation. In plants, it is well known that the photoperiodic flowering is based on the day-length measurement by the circadian clock. However, the modulation mechanisms of the critical day-length is unclear. Using a short-day duckweed, Lemna aequinoctialis, we found the significant correlation between critical day-lengths and circadian periods. This suggests that the local adaptation of critical day-lengths is likely to involve the modulation of circadian periods.

Free Research Field

植物時間生物学