The <i>BnaBPs</i> gene regulates flowering time and leaf angle in <scp><i>Brassica napus</i></scp>

The flowering time and plant architecture of <i>Brassica napus</i> were significantly associated with yield. In this study, we found that the <i>BREVIPEDICELLUS</i>/<i>KNAT1</i>(<i>BP</i>) gene regulated the flowering time and plant architecture of <i>B. napus</i>. However, the precise regulatory mechanism remains unclear. We cloned two homologous <i>BP</i> genes, <i>BnaBPA03</i> and <i>BnaBPC03</i>, from <i>B. napus</i> Xiaoyun. The protein sequence analysis showed two proteins containing conserved domains KNOX I, KNOX II, ELK, and HOX of the KONX protein family. The CRISPR/Cas9 knockout lines exhibited early budding and flowering time, coupled with floral organ abscission earlier and a larger leaf angle. On the contrary, overexpression plants displayed a phenotype that was the inverse of these characteristics. Furthermore, we observed upregulation of gibberellin and ethylene biosynthesis genes, as well as floral integrator genes in knocked-out plants. The results revealed that <i>BnaBPs</i> play a role in flowering time, floral organ abscission, and leaf angle as well as germination processes mediated. Additionally, <i>BnaBPs</i> exerted an impact on the biosynthesis pathways of ethylene and GA.