Bloom or not to bloom: Understanding the MiR-156 based regulation of flowering genes in rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

Flowering at the proper time is critical for effective sexual reproduction and the subsequent development of seeds and fruits in
plants. This entails synchronising flowering with the right season and the plant's developmental history. The cruciform weed
Arabidopsis has shown discrete but connected pathways for sensing the primary seasonal cues of day length and low
temperature, as well as other local external and internal signals, using genetic and molecular analyses. A common group of
genes integrates the balance of signals from these pathways to decide when blooming commences. Billions of people around
the world directly or indirectly depend on rice (Oryza sativa) for their daily nutrition needs. To fulfill the demands of the
growing population, scientists are looking for ways to improve the yield by tweaking the flowering genes and controlling the
expression of the miR156 gene. The circuitry of the miR156 and its effect on flowering is complex and involves various
pathways; some of those pathways are yet to be discovered. The most critical interactions in the SPL-miR156 gene result in the
plant's shift from vegetative to reproductive phase. This involves several environmental, morphological, and internal factors
coherently effect. Future research will look into the importance of these interactions and more yields will follow by
manipulating the genetic interactions. This paper is an attempt to understand the complex nature of the SPL-miR156 gene and
how it regulates the flowering process. © 2022 Department of Agricultural Sciences, AIOU