Plant Gene and Trait 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 194-205 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 201 feature during the summer months and attracts high visitor numbers during peak flowering. The flowering management at Kew provides a practical case of environmental control science in action which shows how laboratory findings apply to public garden management. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana provides a clear understanding of flowering processes through genetic pathways including photoperiodic and vernalization and gibberellin signaling. The CONSTANS (CO) gene activates FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) under long-day conditions which then acts as a mobile florigen that moves from leaves to meristems to interact with FD to activate SOC1 and LFY which initiates floral identity (Antoniou-Kourounioti et al., 2018; Gendron and Staiger, 2023). These modules exist in roses and other ornamentals as well. RcCO, RcFT and RcSOC1 homologs show similar responses to environmental cues. The practice at Kew benefits from these findings since its light and thermal systems align with the genetic activation times for flowering. The public gardens serve as living laboratories where environmental management connects with genetic knowledge to deliver synchronized floral displays for both education and conservation. 6.2 Management practices Multiple flowering genes in roses have been identified and functionally characterized. Genomic and transcriptomic studies show that RcCO, RcCOL4, RcFT1, and RcFT2 express in leaf and shoot apical meristem tissues with photoperiodic dependence (Lu et al., 2020; Sun et al., 2021). RcCOexpresses highly under long-day conditions with RcGI and RcFKF1 regulation. RcCOL4 expresses during short days which compensates for reduced RcCO expression. RcFT1 functions as the primary florigen gene while RcFT2 expresses more broadly. Downstream integrators RcSOC1a/b function as central nodes. Different cultivars show variation at RoKSN and RcFLC-like loci. Continuous-flowering cultivars lost repressor activity which resulted in perpetual flowering. Epigenetic processes also contribute because temperature variations induce DNA methylation and histone modifications especially at RcFLC-like sites. Yu et al. (2023) demonstrate that heat signals increase H3K27me3 marks similar to the cold-induced repression in Arabidopsis. Small RNAs including siRNAs and lncRNAs may also regulate RcSOC1 andRcFLC-like chromatin states under stress. Photoreceptors and thermosensors regulate these flowering behaviors. RcCRY2 stabilizes RcCOunder blue light to promote FT activation. RcPIF4 accumulates during heat stress to repress RcFT expression. The system allows R. chinensis to adjust flowering with flexibility under variable environmental conditions. 6.3 Practical outcomes Kew greenhouse experiments confirm the environmental effects on rose flowering gene expression and phenotypes. The combined light and temperature control shortened flowering by 6~8 days and extended display duration by 10~14 days compared to conventional greenhouses (Cola et al., 2020; Sapounas et al., 2020). The treatments altered RcFT1, RcSOC1, and RcPIF4 expression patterns and produced significant phenotype improvements for both commercial and public display applications. Kew combines intelligent sensors and exhibition data to phenotype flowering responses and collaborates with universities to calibrate predictive models of flowering. The gardens function as research-grade testing facilities that transform gene regulatory networks into applied horticultural outcomes (Cola et al., 2020). The integrated management system allows Kew to align rose flowering with public events. The system ensures dense and colorful floral displays which support education and visitor engagement. The environmental controls extend flower longevity and reduce stress damage. Kew uses the facilities to test new cultivars and climate resilience which links research with practice. The Kew case shows how light-temperature control systems provide practical horticultural outcomes. The horticultural staff combine environmental control with phenological knowledge and cultivar-specific responses to
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