Functional verification of the JmLFY gene associated with the flowering of Juglans mandshurica Maxim.

In this study, a pBI121- plant expression vector was constructed on the basis of obtaining the full-length sequence of the gene from , which was then used for genetic transformation inflorescence infection using wild-type and mutants as transgenic receptors. Seeds of positive plants with high expression of were collected and sowed till the homozygous T3 regeneration plants were obtained. Then the expression of flowering-related genes (, , and ) in T3 generation plants were analyzed and the results showed that gene overexpression promoted the expression of flowering-related genes and resulted in earlier flowering in . The plants of -transformed and -transformed mutants appeared shorter leaves, longer fruit pods, and fewer cauline leaves than those of wild-type and the mutants plants, respectively. In addition, some secondary branches in the transgenic plants converted into inflorescences, which indicated that the overexpression of promoted the transition from vegetative growth to reproductive growth, and compensate the phenotypic defects of mutant partially. The results provides a scientific reference for formulating reasonable genetic improvement strategies such as shortening childhood, improving yield and quality, and breeding desirable varieties, which have important guiding significance in production.