Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of Salinity-Induced Genes in Citrus Rootstocks with Contrasted Salt Tolerance

Hager Snoussi, Hend Askri, Diana Nacouzi, Imen Ouerghui, Anthony Ananga, Asma Najar and Walid El Kayal
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Hager Snoussi: Horticultural Laboratory, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, Carthage University, Tunis 1004, Tunisia
Hend Askri: Laboratory of Non Conventional Water Valorization, National Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Water and Forestry, Carthage University, Tunis 1004, Tunisia
Diana Nacouzi: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
Imen Ouerghui: Horticultural Laboratory, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, Carthage University, Tunis 1004, Tunisia
Anthony Ananga: College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307-4100, USA
Asma Najar: Plant Protection Laboratory, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia, Carthage University, Tunis 1004, Tunisia
Walid El Kayal: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-25

Abstract: Salinity is one of the most destructive environmental challenges for citriculture worldwide, and all climate change scenarios are predicting an increased impact of salinity on citrus orchards. Citrus cultivars are grown as grafts on various rootstocks to provide specific adaptation to abiotic stress and tolerance to major diseases such as citrus tristeza virus. To understand rootstock–scion interactions with regard to salinity, transcriptome profiling of mRNA expression was analyzed for 12 candidate genes in leaves, shoots, and roots of five Hernandina clementine scions grafted on Rangpur lime (LR), Volkamer lemon (CV), Carrizo citrange (CC), sour orange (Big), and Cleopatra mandarin (MC) rootstocks in response to moderate and severe salinity. qRT-PCR analysis revealed differential gene expression that varied by rootstock, salinity level, and tissue. The majority of induced genes were those involved in ion transporter proteins (mainly NHX1 and HKT1 genes), Cl − homeostasis (CCC1 gene), biosynthesis and accumulation of compatible osmolytes, proline (P5CS gene) and glycine betaine (CMO gene), accumulation of proteins (LEA2 gene), and ROS scavenging antioxidant activity (mainly APX). We show that these expression patterns could explain the relative tolerance of the used rootstocks and report new insights on the main salt tolerance mechanisms activated by these rootstocks.

Keywords: abiotic stress; mRNA expression; salt tolerance mechanisms; rootstock salinity response; qRT-PCR analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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