Research progress on the regulation by the <italic>FLOWRING LOCUS T</italic>(<italic>FT</italic>) gene in plant flowering and development

<p indent="0mm">Flowering is an extremely important developmental transition stage in the life cycle of plants. It serves as a crucial pathway for plant survival, reproduction, and evolution, as well as a key trait in crop breeding, domestication, and yield determination. The florigen protein FT (Flowering Locus T) is one of the key integrators in the regulatory processes of flowering in plants. The transcriptional regulation of the <italic>FT</italic> gene is comprehensively controlled by a coordination of various internal and external factors, including hormones, age, photoperiod, and temperature. This review summarizes the major discoveries regarding florigen, including its molecular identification, long-distance transport, transcriptional regulation, and diverse biological functions. Furthermore, it highlights recent advancements in florigen research and discusses pertinent issues that warrant further attention.