Genetics of flower development

Abstract

The flower is a unique feature of flowering plants. Recent research on molecular biology has indicated that a flower is the result of expression and interplay of several genes operating in a sequence. At least four pathways trigger floral evocation: temperature pathway (vernalization and ambient pathways), light quality pathway, photoperiod pathway and gibberellin pathway. Production of different floral organs and the decision of boundary between them are controlled by several genes whose activity can be explained by ABC + DE model, as well as by the quartet model. This article also explains the genetic basis of all floral variations including floral symmetry. The genetic basis of termination of the floral meristem is also explained. Finally, the chapter discusses evolution of flower and floral organs from a genetic perspective.