Dynamic Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Key Regulatory Networks Underlying Curd Development in Cauliflower (Brassica...

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) curd formation is a highly complex developmental process governed by tightly coordinated genetic and physiological regulation. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing of curd and peduncle tissues across multiple developmental stages, generating 171.52 Gb of high-quality data. Genes associated with photosynthesis and glucosinolate biosynthesis were strongly upregulated in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), highlighting substantial metabolic investment during the pre-initiation phase of curd morphogenesis. Key floral transition regulators, particularly AP2 and MADS-box transcription factors, were activated to drive the vegetative-to-reproductive switch and initiate curd primordia, ultimately giving rise to the arrested inflorescence architecture characteristic of cauliflower. Furthermore, hormone signaling pathways-including auxin (AUX), jasmonic acid (JA), and brassinosteroid (BR)-showed marked activation during SAM proliferation and peduncle elongation, underscoring their crucial roles in structural patterning. Collectively, our findings delineate an integrated regulatory network that links metabolic activity, hormone signaling, and developmental programs, providing novel molecular insights into curd formation and identifying potential breeding targets for the genetic improvement of Brassicaceae crops.