Scientists from China characterized the
[www.isaaa.org] gene
OsFTL10 in rice and they found that its overexpression can lead to earlier
flowering of the rice plant by up to two weeks than normal. In their paper
published by the Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences, the scientists
investigated the role of the OsFTL10 gene and its function on flowering and
abiotic stress.

OsFTL genes are Flowering Locus T-Like genes in rice. These determine the
plant's flowering time control, which in turn is important in plant
reproduction. In the case of OsFTL10, the scientists noted that the
overexpression of the gene not only induced early flowering, but it also
improved the drought tolerance of transgenic plants by activating the rice's
drought response mechanism when it is continuously expressed in all plant
parts. Further studies of the OsFTL10 target genes were recommended by the
scientists to identify the direct link between the flowering and drought
stress in rice.

[peerj.com]