成花诱导是植物花发育的一个关键过程，直接控制着开花时间。杨树作为重要的经济和生态树种，遗传性状改良和新品种选育受到较长幼年期的限制。因此，研究杨树NF-Y (Nuclear Factor Y) 转录因子在成花诱导中的作用和分子调控机制，促进早花，缩短幼年期，可以有效地加速遗传改良周期。本项目拟以杨树无性系和转基因株系为试材，运用定量RT-PCR、瞬时转化、酵母双杂交和双分子荧光互补技术，以生物信息学预测及表达特异性分析为切入点，利用筛选到的参与成花诱导的NF-Y亚型（PtNF-YA11，PtNF-YB1和PtNF-YC15），从分子、细胞水平研究其功能和信号途径；同时结合NF-Y与CO互作及转基因实验探讨两者遗传学关系，项目旨在阐明杨树NF-Y转录因子参与成花诱导的分子调控机制。研究结果将有助于人们认识NF-Y转录因子在成花诱导中的作用，为调控林木开花时间、缩短育种周期提供可靠的理论依据。

Floral induction is a key process in plant floral development, which directly controls of flowering time. Poplar is an important tree species of great economic and ecological importance worldwide. It has a long juvenile period, which resulting in limitation of progress in genetics and breeding. Therefore, research on the biological function of the NF-Y in floral induction and the molecular mechanisms in Populus, which stimulate precocious flowering and shorten breeding period can effectively accelerate the genetic improvement cycle. In this project, we are going to investigate the role and function of NF-Y transcription factors in plant floral development process by using RT-PCR, protoplast transient transformation, yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and transgenic technology in the transgenic and wild-type Populus. Specifically, the spatial and time dynamics of NF-Ys, interactions situation, flowering phenotype will be investigated in transgenic and wild-type plants. The results of this investigation will help us to recognize the role and function of the transcription factor NF-Ys in floral induction process. The findings from this study can provide valuable information to dramatically speed up tree breeding programs.