Exploring the genetic basis of flowering time variation in legume crops

Abstract

Flowering time shapes the destiny of every legume crop, governing adaptation, yield, and the very rhythm of agricultural landscapes. Yet, the genetic intricacies that set the pace of floral transition remain only partly understood in legumes. In this work, we combine comparative genomics, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and transcriptomics to unravel the diversity of flowering time in soybean, chickpea, and lentil. Our analyses spotlight loci and regulatory pathways—from photoperiod sensitivity to vernalization and integrator genes—behind the timing of reproduction. We also reflect on how these discoveries are being harnessed in breeding, through marker-assisted selection and gene editing, to create legumes better matched for a changing climate. The result is a synthesis of what has been uncovered, what challenges persist, and where the next breakthroughs may lie for flowering phenology in legumes.