Evidence for Local Adaptation in Vernalization Sensitivity and Its Genetic Basis in Temperate Melica Grasses
Khodaverdi, Masoumeh
Khodaverdi, Masoumeh
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Abstract
Flowering is a key developmental transition through which plants respond to seasonal environmental cues, and a combination of chilling and short-day �vernalization� is required for prior to floral induction in many temperate grasses. However, natural populations vary widely in their vernalization sensitivity and saturation requirements. Melica as an emerging model grass perennial system provides an opportunity to examine how cold signals are integrated into flowering regulation. We investigated phenotypic and transcriptomic responses to prolonged cold across Melica accessions spanning latitudinal and climatic gradients, with detailed RNA-seq analyses of two M. nutans accessions (FR and BI) differing in vernalization response. Higher-latitude accessions generally showed stronger vernalization sensitivity and longer saturation requirements associated with colder climates. Transcriptomic analysis identified numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across cold time points and revealed contrasting regulatory strategies between accessions. In FR, cold exposure activated vernalization-associated pathways, including upregulation of floral activators such as VRN1 and SOC1-like genes and repression of flowering inhibitors, consistent with progression toward floral competence. In BI, photoperiod regulators including CO and PHYC were downregulated, and expression patterns indicated suppression of photoperiod-mediated flowering alongside strong activation of stress and metabolic responses. Coexpression network analysis showed that FR preferentially activated developmental modules while repressing immune pathways, whereas BI maintained defense and metabolic modules. Enrichment analysis highlighted photosynthesis-related pathways, particularly in BI. Together, these results show that closely related accessions can interpret prolonged cold either as a developmental signal or as abiotic stress, improving our understanding of flowering adaptation and informing strategies for crop resilience under climate change.
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Date
1/1/2026
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Graduate Student
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Poster
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Plant Biology
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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
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Life Science