Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process

Grafting serves as a crucial propagation technique for superior <i>Camellia oleifera</i> varieties, where rootstock–scion compatibility significantly determines survival and growth performance. To systematically evaluate grafting compatibility in this economically important woody oil cro...

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Main Authors: Zhilong He, Ying Zhang, Chengfeng Xun, Zhen Zhang, Yushen Ma, Xin Wei, Zhentao Wan, Rui Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2432
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author Zhilong He
Ying Zhang
Chengfeng Xun
Zhen Zhang
Yushen Ma
Xin Wei
Zhentao Wan
Rui Wang
author_facet Zhilong He
Ying Zhang
Chengfeng Xun
Zhen Zhang
Yushen Ma
Xin Wei
Zhentao Wan
Rui Wang
author_sort Zhilong He
collection DOAJ
description Grafting serves as a crucial propagation technique for superior <i>Camellia oleifera</i> varieties, where rootstock–scion compatibility significantly determines survival and growth performance. To systematically evaluate grafting compatibility in this economically important woody oil crop, we examined 15 rootstock–scion combinations using ‘Xianglin 210’ as the scion, assessing growth traits and conducting physiological assays (enzymatic activities of SOD and POD and levels of ROS and IAA) at multiple timepoints (0–32 days post-grafting). The results demonstrated that Comb. 4 (Xianglin 27 rootstock) exhibited superior compatibility, characterized by systemic antioxidant activation (peaking at 4–8 DPG), rapid auxin accumulation (4 DPG), and efficient sugar allocation. Transcriptome sequencing and WGCNA analysis identified 3781 differentially expressed genes, with notable enrichment in stress response pathways (Hsp70, DnaJ) and auxin biosynthesis (YUCCA), while also revealing key hub genes (FKBP19) associated with graft-healing efficiency. These findings establish that successful grafting in <i>C. oleifera</i> depends on coordinated rapid redox regulation, auxin-mediated cell proliferation, and metabolic reprogramming, with Comb. 4 emerging as the optimal rootstock choice. The identified molecular markers not only advance our understanding of grafting mechanisms in woody plants but also provide valuable targets for future breeding programs aimed at improving grafting success rates in this important oil crop.
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spelling doaj-art-2278d0e9ef434085a64cdc8c9357be352025-08-20T03:36:32ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-08-011415243210.3390/plants14152432Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing ProcessZhilong He0Ying Zhang1Chengfeng Xun2Zhen Zhang3Yushen Ma4Xin Wei5Zhentao Wan6Rui Wang7Research Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, ChinaResearch Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, ChinaResearch Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, ChinaResearch Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, ChinaResearch Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Forestry, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaResearch Institute of Oil Tea Camellia, Hunan Academy of Forestry, Changsha 410004, ChinaGrafting serves as a crucial propagation technique for superior <i>Camellia oleifera</i> varieties, where rootstock–scion compatibility significantly determines survival and growth performance. To systematically evaluate grafting compatibility in this economically important woody oil crop, we examined 15 rootstock–scion combinations using ‘Xianglin 210’ as the scion, assessing growth traits and conducting physiological assays (enzymatic activities of SOD and POD and levels of ROS and IAA) at multiple timepoints (0–32 days post-grafting). The results demonstrated that Comb. 4 (Xianglin 27 rootstock) exhibited superior compatibility, characterized by systemic antioxidant activation (peaking at 4–8 DPG), rapid auxin accumulation (4 DPG), and efficient sugar allocation. Transcriptome sequencing and WGCNA analysis identified 3781 differentially expressed genes, with notable enrichment in stress response pathways (Hsp70, DnaJ) and auxin biosynthesis (YUCCA), while also revealing key hub genes (FKBP19) associated with graft-healing efficiency. These findings establish that successful grafting in <i>C. oleifera</i> depends on coordinated rapid redox regulation, auxin-mediated cell proliferation, and metabolic reprogramming, with Comb. 4 emerging as the optimal rootstock choice. The identified molecular markers not only advance our understanding of grafting mechanisms in woody plants but also provide valuable targets for future breeding programs aimed at improving grafting success rates in this important oil crop.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2432<i>Camellia oleifera</i>grafting compatibilityantioxidant enzymesauxintranscriptomics
spellingShingle Zhilong He
Ying Zhang
Chengfeng Xun
Zhen Zhang
Yushen Ma
Xin Wei
Zhentao Wan
Rui Wang
Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process
Plants
<i>Camellia oleifera</i>
grafting compatibility
antioxidant enzymes
auxin
transcriptomics
title Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process
title_full Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process
title_fullStr Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process
title_short Analysis of the Differences Among <i>Camellia oleifera</i> Grafting Combinations in Its Healing Process
title_sort analysis of the differences among i camellia oleifera i grafting combinations in its healing process
topic <i>Camellia oleifera</i>
grafting compatibility
antioxidant enzymes
auxin
transcriptomics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/15/2432
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