RcSPL1–RcTAF15b regulates the flowering time of rose (Rosa chinensis)

Abstract

Rose (Rosa chinensis), which is an economically valuable floral species worldwide, has three types, namely once-flowering (OF), occasional or re-blooming (OR), and recurrent or continuous flowering (CF). However, the mechanism underlying the effect of the age pathway on the duration of the CF or OF juvenile phase is largely unknown. In this study, we observed that the RcSPL1 transcript level was substantially upregulated during the floral development period in the CF and OF plants. Additionally, the accumulation of the RcSPL1 protein was controlled by rch-miR156. The ectopic expression of RcSPL1 in Arabidopsis thaliana accelerated the vegetative phase transition and flowering. Furthermore, the transient overexpression of RcSPL1 in rose plants accelerated flowering, whereas the silencing of RcSPL1 had the opposite phenotype. Accordingly, the transcription levels of floral meristem identity genes (APETALA1, FRUITFULL, and LEAFY) were significantly affected by the changes in RcSPL1 expression. The RcTAF15b protein, which is an autonomous pathway protein, was revealed to interact with RcSPL1. The silencing and overexpression of RcTAF15b in rose plants led to delayed and accelerated flowering, respectively. Collectively, the study findings imply RcSPL1–RcTAF15b modulates the flowering time of rose plants.

Non-Destructive Prediction of Anthocyanin Content of Rosa chinensis Petals Using Digital Images and Machine Learning Algorithms

“…Since this flower blooms year-round and produces flowers with diverse colors [28], it has been widely planted and cultivated as an ornamental plant. This flower also has many other values, e.g., cultural [29], medicinal [30,31], and edible [32,33]. These values are attributed to the abundance of an-thocyanin in the petals, but the anthocyanin content significantly affects these values.…”