ECOTYPE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF A FLOWERING MUTANT PHENOTYPE IN ARABIDOPSIS-THALIANA

The majority of mutations that delay flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana have been identified in studies of the Landsberg erecta (Ler) ecotype . In this report we describe a gene (referred to as FLD) that, when mu tated, delays flowering in the Columbia ecotype but has a minimal phen otype in the Ler genetic background. The late-flowering phenotype of f ld mutants requires a non-ler allele of another gene involved in the c ontrol of Glowering time, Flowering Locus C. fld mutants retain a phot operiod response, and the flowering time of fld mutants can be reduced by cold treatment and low red/far-red light ratios.