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Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants

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A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2026 | Viewed by 5755

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jae Hwan Lee

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Guest Editor

Department of Environmental Horticulture, Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
Interests: abiotic stress response; chlorophyll fluorescence; controlled environment agriculture; plant physiology

Prof. Dr. Yoon-Jung Hwang

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Guest Editor

Department of Convergence Science, Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
Interests: genetics; evolutionary biology; molecular biology

Prof. Dr. Ki-Byung Lim

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Guest Editor

Department of Horticultural Science, Graduate School, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 01795, Republic of Korea
Interests: cytogenetics; conventional and molecular breeding

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The regulation of flowering and development in ornamental plants is a central theme in horticultural science, shaping plants’ architecture, aesthetic quality, and adaptability to diverse environments. Flower initiation, floral induction, organogenesis, pigment biosynthesis, and senescence are tightly controlled by hormonal pathways and molecular signaling networks, and these processes are further influenced by environmental cues such as light, temperature, and water availability.

This Special Issue will highlight recent advances in understanding how internal and external factors coordinate to regulate flowering and developmental traits in ornamental species. We particularly welcome studies on hormonal regulation (e.g., gibberellins, cytokinins, auxins, and ethylene), the transcriptional, molecular, and physiological control of floral development, and the integration of environmental stress signals into developmental timing. We also welcome genomics, transcriptomics, and gene-editing approaches that contribute to improving flowering time, plant architecture, and ornamental quality.

We invite the submission of original research articles, reviews, and communications that provide novel insights into the regulatory basis of flowering and development, aiming to foster innovation and progress in ornamental horticulture.

Dr. Jae Hwan Lee
Prof. Dr. Yoon-Jung Hwang
Prof. Dr. Ki-Byung Lim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Publisher’s Notice

The Special Issue has been shifted from Section Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, and Biotechnology (G2B2) to Section Developmental Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology on 9 September 2025. At the time of the move, there were no publications in this Special Issue.

Keywords

developmental plasticity
flowering regulation
floral induction
ornamental plant development
hormonal signaling
molecular control
gene expression
plant architecture
pigment biosynthesis
abiotic stress response

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 5596 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optimizing Light Quantity and Quality for Accelerating Flowering of Petunia with Associated Changes in FLOWERING LOCUS T Gene Expression

by Jiaqi Xia, Jian Hua and Neil Mattson

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050593 - 11 May 2026

Viewed by 654

Abstract

As plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) expand beyond leafy greens to include flowering crops, understanding the role of light quantity and quality in regulating plant development becomes increasingly important. This study investigated how far-red (FR) radiation and daily light integral (DLI) influences flowering time, plant morphology, and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene expression in petunia. Four facultative commercial cultivars and one obligate long-day model cultivar, ‘Mitchell Diploid’, were grown under two DLI conditions with a gradient of FR radiation. Increasing FR consistently accelerated flowering across both DLI conditions without reducing flower bud number, branch number, or shoot fresh weight at harvest. Higher DLI generally produced more compact plants by reducing plant height and canopy area, whereas increasing FR promoted stem elongation, particularly in ‘Mitchell Diploid’. Cultivar responses varied substantially, indicating that genotype is an important factor when applying FR-based lighting strategies. To explore potential molecular mechanisms associated with FR-induced flowering acceleration, the expression levels of five petunia homologs, PhFT1 to PhFT5, were analyzed across developmental stages under low and supplemental FR conditions. PhFT2-5 expression was generally associated with flower initiation, with PhFT2 showing the strongest positive relationship with flowering and responsiveness to supplemental FR, whereas PhFT1 showed a decreasing trend over time and was not positively associated with flowering. Overall, this study demonstrates that FR radiation can be used to accelerate petunia flowering in PFAL production without compromising key quality traits and suggests that specific FT homologs, particularly PhFT2, may contribute to FR-mediated flowering regulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants)

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16 pages, 3871 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Short Day Lengths Can Mitigate Excessive Stem Elongation and Promote Flowering of Echeveria Cultivars Under Low and Moderate Daily Light Integrals

by Anthony J. Soster, Charlie C. Smith and Roberto G. Lopez

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 551; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050551 - 30 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1358

Abstract

Echeveria spp. (Mexican hens and chicks) are among the most popular genera of succulents sold because they are compact and form attractive, symmetrical rosettes with brightly colored, fleshy, broad, iridescent leaves, as well as large, showy inflorescences. However, they are slow-growing, and flower induction protocols are not widely available. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to determine if photoperiod and the photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) can be manipulated to promote rapid growth and leaf expansion without excessive extension growth of several cultivars of Echeveria and (2) to establish the critical photoperiod for flower induction. Cuttings of E. spp. and hybrids ‘Apus’, ‘Canadian’, ‘Elegans Blue’, ‘Jade Point’, and ‘Topsy Turvy’ were received from a commercial breeder and grown in a greenhouse at 20 °C for 5 weeks. Photoperiods were created using a truncated 9 h short day (SD) or a SD extended to 10, 11, 13, 15, 16 h or a 4 h night-interruption (NI), using light-emitting diode (LED) lamps providing a total photon flux density of ≈2 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of red (R) + white (W) + far-red (FR) radiation. DLIs of 4.8 and 12.8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ were maintained with and without shade cloth and supplemental lighting. Photoperiod and DLI interacted to influence the final height of E. ‘Canadian’, ‘Elegans Blue’, and ‘Jade Point’; plants were tallest under photoperiods > 13 h and low DLI. Similar trends were observed for growth index and average plant diameter. No clear trend was observed for leaf unfolding or leaf length across DLI or photoperiod treatments. Flower initiation of E. ‘Apus’ and ‘Jade Point’ was highest under a DLI of 12.8 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹. Additionally, E. ‘Jade Point’ only developed inflorescences under day lengths ≤ 11 h, indicating an obligate SD response. Our results suggest that growers should maintain DLIs > 10 mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ and SD conditions to promote flower initiation of the Echeveria cultivars tested. Such conditions would prevent excessive stem elongation and encourage flowering, increasing crop quality and marketability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants)

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20 pages, 2867 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lineage-Specific WGD and SINEs Are Associated with Gene Family Dynamics and Stress Responsiveness in White Clover (Trifolium repens)

by Wei Hong, Kaiyue Wu, Jun Tian, Yan Bai, Changhong Guo and Yongjun Shu

Horticulturae 2026, 12(5), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12050531 - 25 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1277

Abstract

Gene family expansion and contraction are key processes underlying functional innovation and genome evolution in plants, yet their roles in the horticultural plant white clover (Trifolium repens) remain poorly understood. In this study, we systematically investigated the association between lineage-specific whole-genome duplication (WGD) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) with gene family dynamics and stress-responsive transcription. Our results indicate that white clover underwent a lineage-specific WGD, which is associated with increased gene family expansion. SINE copy number was strongly correlated with the proportion of significantly expanded genes (r = 0.637, p = 0.0259, n = 12), but not with the proportion of significantly contracted genes. This result suggests a potential association between SINE insertions and gene family expansion. GO enrichment analyses indicated that expanded gene families are predominantly involved in metabolic processes, environmental stress responses, defense mechanisms, and floral organ development, whereas contracted gene families were mainly enriched in core housekeeping functions, such as ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolism and mitochondrial organization. Transcriptome analyses further showed that genes within expanded families were broadly upregulated under drought, cadmium, and cold stress, while generally upregulated in floral tissues compared with other organs. Collectively, these findings reveal the relationships among WGD, SINE elements, and gene family dynamics in environmental adaptation and flower development, providing a molecular framework for understanding adaptive regulation associated with gene family expansion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants)

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33 pages, 4432 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nano-SiO₂ and Light Quality Synergistically Regulate External Morphology, Postharvest Coloration, Endogenous Hormonal Metabolism, and Nutritional Quality in Mature-Green Tomatoes

by Jingli Yang, Qingbing Sun, Yahang Li, Jingmin Zhang, Yuanyuan Yang, Haijun Zhang, Byoung Ryong Jeong, Maopeng Sang and Jinnan Song

Horticulturae 2026, 12(3), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12030304 - 4 Mar 2026

Viewed by 585

Abstract

Mature-green tomatoes are prone to rapid ripening and quality deterioration during the postharvest stage, highlighting the urgent need for environmentally friendly and efficient preservation technologies. This study investigated the synergistic regulatory effects of nano-SiO₂ and light quality (white light, W; blue light, B; red/blue mixed light, RB, 1:1) on postharvest appearance, physiological processes, and quality attributes in ‘Yu Zhu’ (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a tasty tomato cultivar with light-yellow fruit color. Mature-green fruits were treated with light quality in combination with nano-SiO₂ (pre-immersion in 1 mL/L nano-SiO₂ for 1 h, followed by periodic spraying with 0.5 mL/L nano-SiO₂ every two days). Key indicators—including ripening traits, flavor attributes, antioxidant capacity, and endogenous hormone metabolites—were monitored on their respective sampling days. The results revealed distinct light quality-dependent responses: (1) B-Si (B + nano-SiO₂) significantly delayed the breaker stage compared to W, maintained the lowest water loss, and exhibited the slowest softening rate. W-Si showed a significantly higher dry weight-to-fresh weight ratio than W. (2) RB-Si achieved superior flavor quality, with 11.47% soluble solids, 1.62% titratable acidity, and a sugar-to-acid ratio of 7.2—values markedly higher than those in RB. (3) RB-Si increased total phenolic (TP), flavonoids, and ascorbic acid (AsA) levels relative to RB, while enhancing total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), with only slight suppression of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity. (4) Nano-SiO₂ differentially regulated hormonal metabolism depending on light quality: it activated the jasmonic acid (JA)–gibberellin (GA) pathway under W light, fine-tuned cytokinin (CK) metabolism under B light, and upregulated JA, GA, CK, and auxin under RB light. Moreover, RB-Si significantly reduced ACC accumulation compared to W, thereby delaying senescence. Collectively, RB-Si synergistically regulates endogenous hormone metabolism to simultaneously delay ripening, reduce water loss, maintain firmness, optimize flavor, and enhance antioxidant capacity. This study elucidates the interaction mechanism between nano-SiO₂ and light quality, providing theoretical and technical support for the green preservation of horticultural crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants)

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21 pages, 1412 KB

Open AccessArticle

Revealing the Environmental Factors That Influence the Leaf Biochemistry and Total Antioxidant Activity of Prunus laurocerasus L.

by Nezahat Turfan, Ferhat Kara, Faruk Yıldız, Kerim Güney and Ozkan Kaya

Horticulturae 2025, 11(11), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111403 - 20 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1113

Abstract

Understanding the seasonal dynamics of phytochemical composition in evergreen species is crucial for improving ecosystem productivity models and selecting appropriate species for urban landscapes under changing climate conditions. However, knowledge about how light environment, temperature, and precipitation interact to regulate leaf biochemical processes across seasons remains limited. We investigated morphological and biochemical responses of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.) grown under contrasting light environments (light-exposed versus shaded) across twelve months, analyzing photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants, osmolytes, and secondary metabolites in relation to environmental variables. Light-exposed leaves exhibited enhanced accumulation of photoprotective compounds, including carotenoids (9.38 mg g⁻¹), xanthophylls (3.60 mg g⁻¹), and flavonoids (0.51 mg g⁻¹), along with superior total antioxidant capacity during spring and autumn. Proline showed bimodal seasonal peaks (93.7 µmol g⁻¹ in August under shade, 71.1 µmol g⁻¹ in July under light), indicating stress responses to both summer heat and winter cold. Multivariate analyses revealed that seasonal variation accounted for 94.9% of total phytochemical variability, with distinct metabolic signatures characterizing winter (high glycine betaine, anthocyanin), spring (high chlorophyll, phenolics), summer (high proline, transient carotenoid peaks), and autumn (maximum antioxidant capacity) periods. We conclude that light environment significantly influences cherry laurel’s seasonal metabolic strategies, with shade-grown plants prioritizing light harvesting efficiency and osmotic adjustment, while light-exposed plants emphasize photoprotection and antioxidant defense. The coordinated regulation of functionally related compounds reveals integrated stress response mechanisms that contribute to cherry laurel’s remarkable environmental plasticity. These quantitative seasonal patterns provide valuable parameters for optimizing cultivation practices, predicting biochemical composition for harvesting purposes, and modeling the ecological performance of this species in variable urban and forest environments under climate change scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Flowering and Development in Ornamental Plants)

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