Genome-wide analysis of the Early Flowering 4 (ELF4) gene family in short-juvenile persimmon “Deyangshi” (Diospyros deyangensis) and its role of DdELF4–8 during flowering control

•ELF4 family genes play an important role in determining the early flowering characteristics of Diospyros deyangensis.•A total of 11 ELF4 genes were characterized in D. deyangensis.•Overexpression of DdELF4–8 delayed flowering and increased rosette leaves in Arabidopsis.•The overexpression of DdELF4–8 negatively affected AtGI and AtFT expression levels, which was the likely cause of flowering delay phenotypes.