Photoperiod insensitivity in crops

Photoperiod, the length of daylight within a 24 hour cycle, serves as the most consistent signal for seasonal changes. Plants have developed mechanisms to adapt to these cycles, displaying well-established photoperiodic responses in traits such as flowering time. The desynchronization of flowering time from photoperiod has been a pivotal factor in the global expansion of several major crops consumed today. This review provides an overview of current insights into how plants perceive photoperiod signals at the molecular level, how these signals interact with the circadian clock, and how they drive global responses, particularly through variations in flowering time. Furthermore, the review compiles known mutations that have influenced photoperiodism in crops and explores their contributions to agricultural expansion worldwide. Finally, it highlights physiological effects of photoperiodism mutations beyond flowering time, offering insights in the potential drawbacks of developing crops with improved photoperiodic adaptability.