The mystery of spring is solved

The question of how plants know when to ‘wake up’ after winter is one of the great mysteries of nature, but now scientists have identified the ‘spring gene’ that tells daffodils and other flowers when to bloom.


The discovery, published in Nature, means that it will be possible to genetically engineer plants in the future so that they can be 'switched on' earlier, in order to take better advantage of the growing season.


It also means that species in danger from global warming could be engineered so they are better able to cope with climate change.
It has long been known that the buds will begin to burst as the days get longer and the temperatures warm.


However it was a mystery why each plant responds differently to the signals of spring.


For example daffodils tend to come out as long as it is warm - even if it is as early as December.


But other plants like buttercups or anemones will wait until the days are longer.


Dr Phil Wigge, a biologist at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, explained that some plants are genetically made up to respond to temperature, while others respond to light.


His research, funded by the Government, managed to isolate the temperature control gene known as PIF4 or the ‘spring gene’.


“Our findings explain at the molecular level what we observe in our gardens as the warmer temperatures of spring arrive,” he said.


“It also explains why plants are flowering earlier as a result of climate change.”


Read more:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9155900/The-mystery-of-spring-is-solved.html