How do plants know that it’s time to flower? A protein called FT protein (Flowering Locus T Protein) produced in leaves by the FT gene is responsible. The discovery was made by Imperial College researchers. The FT gene in turn is controlled by a gene called CONSTANS that responds to changes in day length.
Dr Colin Turnbull from Imperial College London's Division of Biology, the lead investigator in this study says: "This could be a really important breakthrough in plant science. Since the 1930s when it first became clear that something was communicating the perception of changes in day length in leaves to the shoot apex, and causing flowering, scientists have been trying to work out exactly how this mechanism works.
If you would like to know more about this study, you can write to Danielle Reeves at the Imperial College London press office or email him at: mailto:Danielle.reeves@imperial.ac.uk
or call him on Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 2198 / Mob: +44 (0) 7803 886248
source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070419140912.htm
image source: www.cepolina.com
source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070419140912.htm
image source: www.cepolina.com
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