Research progress on the genetic regulatory mechanism of flowering in Chrysanthemum

Flowering represents a critical transition in plant development, shifting from the vegetative to reproductive growth stages. In ornamental plants, the timing of flowering significantly impacts marketability and economic value. Plant flowering is regulated by complex internal and external signals. Studies on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana have identified six primary pathways related to flowering regulation. These independent but intersecting pathways form a complex genetic regulatory network. Chrysanthemum × morifolium, a famous flower originating from China, holds a considerable share of the world flower market. However, its typical short-day flowering requirements not only increase production costs but also limit its application scope. Based on the flowering regulatory networks of higher plants, this review discusses current research progress on the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying chrysanthemum flowering, thus providing theoretical guidance for the breeding and improvement of flowering time, as well as new insights into the flowering mechanisms of higher plants.