Epigenetics, the study of heritable changes in gene function that happens without DNA sequence change, is a relevant topic in Biology nowadays. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial for the proper development of plants. It is now possible to exploit epigenetic variation to obtain novel crops varieties in a more rational and efficient way. This natural epigenetic variation was exploited unconsciously during the domestication of many crops.
The best example of epigenetic regulation in pants is the regulation of flowering time in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis belongs to the Brasicacea family, which includes several important vegetable crops like cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, etc.; and oilseed crops like oilseed rape, which is the third source of vegetable oil worldwide.
Flowering is a key agronomic trait for the production of fruits and seeds. A better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that control flowering time would allow us to increase crop yield. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms that control flowering time in Brassica crops is scarce.
