The epitranscriptomic mark N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most common type of messenger RNA (mRNA) post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotes. With the discovery of the demethylase FTO (FAT MASS AND OBESITY-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN) in Homo Sapiens, this modification has been proven to be dynamically reversible. With technological advances, research on m⁶A modification in plants also rapidly developed. m⁶A modification is widely distributed in plants, which is usually enriched near the stop codons and 3′-UTRs, and has conserved modification sequences. The related proteins of m⁶A modification mainly consist of three components: methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and reading proteins (readers). m⁶A modification mainly regulates the growth and development of plants by modulating the RNA metabolic processes and playing an important role in their responses to environmental signals. In this review, we briefly outline the development of m⁶A modification detection techniques; comparatively analyze the distribution characteristics of m⁶A in plants; summarize the methyltransferases, demethylases, and binding proteins related to m⁶A; elaborate on how m⁶A modification functions in plant growth, development, and response to environmental signals; and provide a summary and outlook on the research of m⁶A in plants.

As an emerging field of life science, epigenetics plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression. Epigenetic modifications including histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNAs, and RNA modifications (particularly m⁶A methylation) play crucial roles in fine-tuning plant developmental processes. Among these, floral transition marks a key developmental switch from vegetative to reproductive growth, orchestrated by complex interactions between endogenous signals (such as age and hormones) and environmental cues (such as photoperiod and temperature). Recent advances have uncovered that epigenetic mechanisms act as molecular bridges integrating these signals to ensure flowering occurs under optimal conditions. This review synthesizes the current understanding of epigenetic control in the six canonical flowering pathways—photoperiod, vernalization, autonomous, thermosensory, gibberellin, and age-dependent pathways—with a particular emphasis on the emerging role of m⁶A RNA modification. We also discuss the crosstalk among epigenetic layers and highlight the translational potential of epigenetic engineering in optimizing flowering time and crop adaptation.

Rapeseed is one of important oil crops in China. Better understanding of the regulation network of main agronomic traits of rapeseed could improve the yielding of rapeseed. In this study, we obtained an influrescence mutant that showed a fusion phenotype, similar with the Arabidopsis clavata-like phenotype, so we named the mutant as Bnclavata-like (Bnclv-like). Phenotype analysis illustrated that abnormal development of the inflorescence meristem (IM) led to the fused-inflorescence phenotype. At the stage of protein abundance, major regulators in metabolic processes, ROS metabolism, and cytoskeleton formation were seen to be altered in this mutant. These results not only revealed the relationship between biological processes and inflorescence meristem development, but also suggest bioengineering strategies for the improved breeding and production of Brassica napus.