Identification of gene expression changes in whole seeds that result from variation in vernalisation intensity before flowering.

Warming during seed development can have negative impacts on seed size and crop yield across many species. But given that there is substantial maternal control of seed size it is also possible that temperature earlier in the growth cycle can also affect crop seed development. Our physiological experiments revealed that lower vernalisation temperatures result in larger seeds in winter oilseed rape. Here we analyse gene expression changes in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) variety 'Catana' seeds in response to prior vernalisation either at 5C or at 15C to promote floral initiation.