London, March 11 (ANI): Scientists have discovered a gene that triggers plants to become dormant at night and controls flowering.

Computer models of cress plants genes showed how 12 genes work together to set plants' internal clocks, according to University of Edinburgh researchers.

They found that a protein, known as TOC1, previously associated with helping plants to wake up, dampened down gene activity at night.

Professor Andrew Millar said "it was a big change in thinking".

Plants, animals and even bacteria go through a daily 24-hour routine, known as a circadian rhythm, which allow them to make tiny adjustments as daylight changes, and adapt to changing seasons.

"Just like humans you should think about plants having rhythms," said Prof Millar.

"Having a biological clock is particularly important for plants to prepare for daylight and at night-time [to] store energy for growth.

"We now understand how the dozen or so genes work and are typical to particular times of the day," Prof Millar stated.

The Edinburgh-led study was published in Molecular Systems Biology.

Prof Millar said the results would help further research into the flowering of other plants - particularly crops such as wheat, barley and rice.

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Gene that controls flowering in plants identified

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