biostudies-literatureFan Lthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe Natural Fund Pro-ject of Heilongjiang Provincethe Natural Fund Project of Heilongjiang Province1191https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11085594biostudies-literatureUnknown13(9)<i>Iris laevigata</i> Fisch. is an excellent ornamental plant in cold regions due to its unique ornamental ability and strong cold resistance. However, the flowering period of the population is only about 20 days, greatly limiting its potential uses in landscaping and the cutting flower industry. In addition, <i>I. laevigata</i> is often challenged with various abiotic stresses including high salinity and drought in its native habitats. Thus, breeding novel cultivars with delayed flowering time and higher resistance to abiotic stress is of high importance. In this study, we utilized sequencing data from the <i>I. laevigata</i> transcriptome to identify WRKYs and characterized <i>IlWRKY22</i>, a key transcription factor that modulates flowering time and abiotic stress responses. <i>IlWRKY22</i> is induced by salt and drought stress. We cloned <i>IlWRKY22</i> and found that it is a Group IIe <i>WRKY</i> localized in the nucleus. Overexpressing <i>IlWRKY22</i> in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> (L.) Heynh. and <i>Nicotiana tabacum</i> L. resulted in a delayed flowering time in the transgenic plants. We created transgenic <i>N. tabacum</i> overexpressing <i>IlWRKY22</i>, which showed significantly improved resistance to both salt and drought compared to the control plants. Thus, our study revealed a unique dual function of <i>IlWRKY22</i>, an excellent candidate gene for breeding novel <i>Iris</i> cultivars of desirable traits.Plants (Basel, Switzerland)<i>WRKY22</i> Transcription Factor from <i>Iris laevigata</i> Regulates Flowering Time and Resistance to Salt and Drought.PMC110855942572023CT18LH2021C017Zhou SFan LNiu ZShi GYang QSong ZWang Lfalse<i>WRKY22</i> Transcription Factor from <i>Iris laevigata</i> Regulates Flowering Time and Resistance to Salt and Drought.<i>Iris laevigata</i> Fisch. is an excellent ornamental plant in cold regions due to its unique ornamental ability and strong cold resistance. However, the flowering period of the population is only about 20 days, greatly limiting its potential uses in landscaping and the cutting flower industry. In addition, <i>I. laevigata</i> is often challenged with various abiotic stresses including high salinity and drought in its native habitats. Thus, breeding novel cultivars with delayed flowering time and higher resistance to abiotic stress is of high importance. In this study, we utilized sequencing data from the <i>I. laevigata</i> transcriptome to identify WRKYs and characterized <i>IlWRKY22</i>, a key transcription factor that modulates flowering time and abiotic stress responses. <i>IlWRKY22</i> is induced by salt and drought stress. We cloned <i>IlWRKY22</i> and found that it is a Group IIe <i>WRKY</i> localized in the nucleus. Overexpressing <i>IlWRKY22</i> in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> (L.) Heynh. and <i>Nicotiana tabacum</i> L. resulted in a delayed flowering time in the transgenic plants. We created transgenic <i>N. tabacum</i> overexpressing <i>IlWRKY22</i>, which showed significantly improved resistance to both salt and drought compared to the control plants. Thus, our study revealed a unique dual function of <i>IlWRKY22</i>, an excellent candidate gene for breeding novel <i>Iris</i> cultivars of desirable traits.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Apr2026-04-24T03:12:57.433Z2026-04-24T03:09:34.686ZS-EPMC110855943873240510.3390/plants13091191