Identification and characterization of PEBP family genes reveal a probable candidate for photoperiod insensitivity in .

Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying photoperiod sensitivity will play a crucial role in extending the cropping area of a photoperiod sensitive major grain legume of India and Africa. In flowering plants, (FT) gene is involved in the production of florigen molecule which is essential for induction of flowering, influenced largely by the duration of photoperiod. To understand the structural and regulatory nature of this gene, a genome-wide survey was carried out, revealing the presence of 13 PEBP (FT) family genes in . Based on the gene expression profiling of 13 PEBP genes across the 30 tissues of , and were found to be probable genes responsible for the production of florigen as both of them showed expression in reproductive leaf. Expression analysis in photoperiod sensitive, MAL3 genotype revealed that is upregulated under SD. However, in photoperiod insensitive genotype (ICP20338) and were upregulated in SD and LD, respectively. Hence, in ICP20338 under SD, flowering induction occurs with the involvement of while under LD, flowering induction seems to be associated with the expression of was found to be expressed only under favourable photoperiodic condition (SD) in both MAL3 and ICP20338 and may be regulated through a photoperiod dependent pathway. The presence of additional florigen producing gene, in ICP20338 which has the ability to flower in a photoperiod independent manner under LD conditions might provide some clues on its photoperiod insensitive nature. This study will provide a detailed characterization of the genes involved in photoperiodic regulation of flowering in