Advances in research of potassium chlorate-induced flowering in longan

Abstract

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is a fruit tree of significant economic value in tropical and subtropical regions. The introduction of potassium chlorate (KClO3) as a flowering inducer has facilitated remarkable advancements in longan cultivation, enabling the year-round supply of fresh fruits. This innovation has substantially increased both the cultivation area and the economic value of the longan, marking a milestone in the industry development. This paper outlines the characteristics and current research advancement regarding both natural and KClO3-induced flowering in longan, while addressing the challenges associated with KClO3-induced flowering in this species. Recent findings are encompassed at the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological levels. Additionally, the absorption and transport pathways of chlorate and nitrate in longan and other plants are summarized, as well as the effects of oxidative stress on floral transition. Furthermore, potential future research directions are explored, including elucidating the mechanism of KClO3-induced flowering in longan through multi-omics analysis and investigating the application of nanomaterials to enhance artificial flowering induction in longan and other species. This provides insights supporting further in-depth research into the mechanism of KClO3-induced flowering in longan, thereby contributes to the framework of knowledge and potential applications in horticulture.