ELF3 controls trait heterogeneity by tuning the rate of maturation in Arabidopsis and barley
Authors: McCarthy, K., Pook, H., Redmond, E. J., Ronald, J., Keir, J., Zhu, Z., Quint, M., Davis, P. A., Hartley, S. E., Davis, S., Ezer, D.
Date: 2025-03-26 · Version: 1
DOI: 10.1101/2025.03.24.644900 Category: Plant Biology
Model Organism: Multi-species
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The study investigates how the circadian clock component ELF3 influences trait heterogeneity by modulating developmental rates, predicting opposite heterogeneity patterns in fast- versus slow‑growing populations. Experiments with Arabidopsis elf3 and barley Hvelf3 mutants confirmed that faster development reduces heterogeneity at maturity, while slower growth maintains it, and smaller barley plants exhibited greater osmotic stress resilience, suggesting ELF3‑driven heterogeneity supports bet‑hedging.
ELF3 trait heterogeneity developmental timing Arabidopsis barley