Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet

Foxtail millet (<i>Setaria italica</i>), a cereal crop in China, is renowned for its resilience to abiotic stresses, including saline-alkali conditions. This study examined the transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of two contrasting foxtail millet varieties, B103 (tolerant) and B323...

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Main Authors: Mengxia Han, Qing Tan, Yulu Yang, Hui Zhang, Xingchun Wang, Xukai Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1602
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author Mengxia Han
Qing Tan
Yulu Yang
Hui Zhang
Xingchun Wang
Xukai Li
author_facet Mengxia Han
Qing Tan
Yulu Yang
Hui Zhang
Xingchun Wang
Xukai Li
author_sort Mengxia Han
collection DOAJ
description Foxtail millet (<i>Setaria italica</i>), a cereal crop in China, is renowned for its resilience to abiotic stresses, including saline-alkali conditions. This study examined the transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of two contrasting foxtail millet varieties, B103 (tolerant) and B323 (sensitive), under saline-alkali stress. Physiological analysis showed that B103 exhibited higher growth parameters and chlorophyll content than B323, highlighting its enhanced tolerance. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in stress-response pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid metabolism and calcium signaling. Metabolomic profiling revealed differentially accumulated metabolites (DMs) involved in energy and secondary metabolism, including citrate, fumarate and flavonoids. Integration of DEGs and DMs revealed key gene-metabolite interactions, particularly those involving the nicotinamide compound and three candidate genes <i>Si9g20070</i>, <i>Si7g22360</i> and <i>Si5g39810</i>, for future functional validation, which may contribute to stress adaptation. Dynamic clustering of gene expression trends highlighted the importance of rapid stress responses. These findings establish a molecular framework for understanding saline-alkali stress tolerance and provide genetic resources for developing stress-resilient foxtail millet varieties.
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issn 2223-7747
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spelling doaj-art-58834d6a5be74150acb42eaf75a93de52025-08-20T02:33:02ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-05-011411160210.3390/plants14111602Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail MilletMengxia Han0Qing Tan1Yulu Yang2Hui Zhang3Xingchun Wang4Xukai Li5Hou-Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, ChinaHou-Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, ChinaHou-Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, ChinaHou-Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, ChinaHou-Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, ChinaHou-Ji Laboratory in Shanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, ChinaFoxtail millet (<i>Setaria italica</i>), a cereal crop in China, is renowned for its resilience to abiotic stresses, including saline-alkali conditions. This study examined the transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of two contrasting foxtail millet varieties, B103 (tolerant) and B323 (sensitive), under saline-alkali stress. Physiological analysis showed that B103 exhibited higher growth parameters and chlorophyll content than B323, highlighting its enhanced tolerance. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in stress-response pathways such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid metabolism and calcium signaling. Metabolomic profiling revealed differentially accumulated metabolites (DMs) involved in energy and secondary metabolism, including citrate, fumarate and flavonoids. Integration of DEGs and DMs revealed key gene-metabolite interactions, particularly those involving the nicotinamide compound and three candidate genes <i>Si9g20070</i>, <i>Si7g22360</i> and <i>Si5g39810</i>, for future functional validation, which may contribute to stress adaptation. Dynamic clustering of gene expression trends highlighted the importance of rapid stress responses. These findings establish a molecular framework for understanding saline-alkali stress tolerance and provide genetic resources for developing stress-resilient foxtail millet varieties.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1602foxtail milletmetabolomicssaline-alkali stresstranscriptomics
spellingShingle Mengxia Han
Qing Tan
Yulu Yang
Hui Zhang
Xingchun Wang
Xukai Li
Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet
Plants
foxtail millet
metabolomics
saline-alkali stress
transcriptomics
title Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet
title_full Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet
title_fullStr Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet
title_full_unstemmed Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet
title_short Integrative Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights Into Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Foxtail Millet
title_sort integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic insights into saline alkali stress tolerance in foxtail millet
topic foxtail millet
metabolomics
saline-alkali stress
transcriptomics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1602
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AT qingtan integrativetranscriptomicandmetabolomicinsightsintosalinealkalistresstoleranceinfoxtailmillet
AT yuluyang integrativetranscriptomicandmetabolomicinsightsintosalinealkalistresstoleranceinfoxtailmillet
AT huizhang integrativetranscriptomicandmetabolomicinsightsintosalinealkalistresstoleranceinfoxtailmillet
AT xingchunwang integrativetranscriptomicandmetabolomicinsightsintosalinealkalistresstoleranceinfoxtailmillet
AT xukaili integrativetranscriptomicandmetabolomicinsightsintosalinealkalistresstoleranceinfoxtailmillet