Add more host phenotype terms (PMID:40593615), shortened heading time in wheat

[Hsinyugithub]

In this paper, the authors stated that overexpression of the host protein TaFAH shortened the heading time in wheat. To annotate this phenotype, one needs to use a "host phenotype term." However, there are currently not many terms describing host phenotypes in PHI-Canto. It might be useful to begin developing host phenotype terms, as we plan to annotate more host genes in the future.

I suggest to add this term "Shortened heading time in wheat". I used co-pilot for this (see below).

Ontology Term Proposal
Term Label: Shortened heading time in wheat
Term ID: (To be assigned, e.g., CO_321:000XXXX)
Definition: A phenotype characterized by a reduction in the duration from sowing to heading in wheat (Triticum aestivum), resulting in earlier floral initiation compared to the standard or control genotype under similar environmental conditions.
Synonyms:
Early heading in wheat
Reduced heading time
Parent Term: heading time trait (e.g., TO:0000344)
Associated Species: Triticum aestivum (NCBI Taxonomy ID: 4565)
Trait Category: Phenological trait
Measurement Method: Days from sowing to heading
Unit: Days
Relationship to Other Terms:
is_a: heading time trait
has_quality: decreased duration
Comment: This trait is often used in breeding programs to select for early maturity, which can be beneficial in regions with short growing seasons or terminal drought stress.

[jseager7]

This term sounds valid, but I don't think we should restrict the phenotype to wheat, because heading time can also apply to other crops like barley and rice, and the host is evident from the fact that the phenotype is annotated to a host species in PHI-Canto.

I'm assuming that the phenotype is referring to a shorter time between the crop being sown and the crop heading, so following terminology from the Phenotype And Trait Ontology, I'd define this as:

• Label: decreased duration of heading time
• Definition: A plant phenotype characterized by a reduction in the duration from sowing to heading, resulting in earlier floral initiation compared to wild-type.

I'm not sure what term in PHIPO should be used as the parent, but I'd assume it would be something under 'individual organism phenotype' (either a new term or one of the existing child terms).

For the logical definition, The process could be described by the term 'basic vegetative phase' in the Plant Trait Ontology, which is defined as "the period between seeding and heading when the plant is not sensitive to day length". Unfortunately I can't see any patterns in uPheno that describe reduced duration. I'll have to ask uPheno about how to model this.