Editing the MYB factor APL to change flowering time

The edf1 mutant in maize exhibits delayed flowering under both long- and short-day conditions.

• The edf1 mutant carries a splice-donor mutation in the gene ALTERED PHLOEM DEVELOPMENT (APL).
• This mutation causes an increase in a less common splice variant of APL, APL-β, which negatively affects flowering time.
• The major splice variant, APL-α, is linked to the initiation of flowering.
• Knock-down of APL leads to delayed flowering and results in taller plants with greater biomass and yield.
• APL-α activates a specific promoter to stimulate flowering, while APL-β reduces the effectiveness of APL-α.
• Base editing of the APL gene in rice and Arabidopsis leads to delayed flowering, suggesting a potential method for controlling flowering time in crop breeding.

Simplified