Transcriptomic Analysis of Melatonin-Mediated Salt Stress Response in Germinating Alfalfa

Zirui Liu, Xiangling Ren, Wenxuan Zhu, Yingao Li, Guomin Li, Caifeng Liu, Defeng Li, Yinghua Shi, Chengzhang Wang, Xiaoyan Zhu and Hao Sun ()
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Zirui Liu: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Xiangling Ren: School of Environmental Engineering, Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Wenxuan Zhu: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Yingao Li: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Guomin Li: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Caifeng Liu: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Defeng Li: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Yinghua Shi: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Chengzhang Wang: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Xiaoyan Zhu: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Hao Sun: Key Laboratory of Forage Processing, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: Salt stress poses a significant threat to crop yields worldwide. Melatonin (MT), an endogenous hormone synthesized in plants, has emerged as a crucial player in plant responses to various abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, heat, and cold. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying MT-mediated abiotic stress responses remain incompletely understood. To elucidate the key genes and pathways involved in MT-mediated alleviation of salt stress, we conducted physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses on alfalfa seedlings. Our results demonstrated that alfalfa seedlings treated with melatonin exhibited higher germination rates, longer bud lengths, and greater fresh weights compared to those subjected to salt stress alone. Furthermore, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide anion (O 2− ) were reduced, while the activities and contents of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and glutathione (GSH) increased in response to melatonin treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed 2181 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the salt-treated group, with 780 upregulated and 1401 downregulated genes. In contrast, the MT-treated group exhibited 4422 DEGs, including 1438 upregulated and 2984 downregulated genes. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs were primarily involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, isoflavones, plant hormones, glutathione (GSH), soluble sugars, and other substances, as well as in ABC transporter and MAPK signaling pathways. Notably, the MT-treated group showed greater enrichment of DEGs in these pathways, suggesting that MT mitigates salt stress by modulating the expression of genes related to phytohormones and antioxidant capacity. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying MT-mediated salt tolerance in alfalfa, with important implications for breeding salt-tolerant alfalfa and other crops.

Keywords: alfalfa; salt stress; melatonin; transcriptomics; differentially expressed genes (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: 2024
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