Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the seed germination characteristics and metabolic response mechanisms of Medicago ruthenica under saline-alkali stress, with the goal of elucidating its physiological and molecular mechanisms of salt-alkali tolerance.MethodsIt was systematically analyzed...

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Main Authors: Xiaoli Wei, Jie Wang, Chengti Xu, Yuanyuan Zhao, Xiaojian Pu, Wei Wang, Guangxin Lu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1592555/full
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author Xiaoli Wei
Xiaoli Wei
Jie Wang
Jie Wang
Chengti Xu
Chengti Xu
Yuanyuan Zhao
Yuanyuan Zhao
Xiaojian Pu
Xiaojian Pu
Wei Wang
Wei Wang
Guangxin Lu
author_facet Xiaoli Wei
Xiaoli Wei
Jie Wang
Jie Wang
Chengti Xu
Chengti Xu
Yuanyuan Zhao
Yuanyuan Zhao
Xiaojian Pu
Xiaojian Pu
Wei Wang
Wei Wang
Guangxin Lu
author_sort Xiaoli Wei
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the seed germination characteristics and metabolic response mechanisms of Medicago ruthenica under saline-alkali stress, with the goal of elucidating its physiological and molecular mechanisms of salt-alkali tolerance.MethodsIt was systematically analyzed the germination characteristics of four M. ruthenica germplasm resources (YSZ, XHZ, Shoulu, and Longzhong 1) from different origins with various concentrations of individual salts (NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3) and compound saline-alkali stress treatments. Additionally, the metabolite changes in the domesticated species under saline-alkali stress were examined using metabolomics technology.ResultsThe results indicated that low concentrations of NaCl stress did not significantly inhibit the germination of M. ruthenica seeds; rather, it promoted germination to some extent. In contrast, high concentrations of NaHCO3 and compound saline-alkali stress significantly inhibited both seed germination and seedling growth. The germination characteristics of M. ruthenica germplasm resources from different sources exhibit variability under saline-alkali stress. Domesticated species demonstrated strong tolerance to salt-alkali conditions. Metabolomic analyses indicated that saline-alkali stress significantly impacts key metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, sugar metabolism, and lipid metabolism in M. ruthenica sprouts, with a notable increase in the accumulation of amino acids and their derivatives. Correlation analyses revealed that amino acids such as L-arginine, histidine, and glutamine are significantly positively correlated with germination rate and root length, suggesting that these amino acids play a crucial role in M. ruthenica’s response to saline-alkali stress.DiscussionThis study provided a new theoretical foundation for understanding the salt-alkali tolerance mechanisms of M. ruthenica and serves as an important reference for breeding salt-alkali tolerant forage varieties and for the ecological restoration of saline-alkali land.
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issn 1664-462X
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Plant Science
spelling doaj-art-9a9fae452cd44908aef15d126c4cd6762025-08-20T03:28:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-07-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15925551592555Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stressXiaoli Wei0Xiaoli Wei1Jie Wang2Jie Wang3Chengti Xu4Chengti Xu5Yuanyuan Zhao6Yuanyuan Zhao7Xiaojian Pu8Xiaojian Pu9Wei Wang10Wei Wang11Guangxin Lu12Academy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaNorthwest Key Laboratory of Cultivated Land Conservation and Marginal Land Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Delingha, ChinaAcademy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaNorthwest Key Laboratory of Cultivated Land Conservation and Marginal Land Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Delingha, ChinaAcademy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaNorthwest Key Laboratory of Cultivated Land Conservation and Marginal Land Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Delingha, ChinaAcademy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaNorthwest Key Laboratory of Cultivated Land Conservation and Marginal Land Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Delingha, ChinaAcademy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaNorthwest Key Laboratory of Cultivated Land Conservation and Marginal Land Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Delingha, ChinaAcademy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaNorthwest Key Laboratory of Cultivated Land Conservation and Marginal Land Improvement, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Delingha, ChinaAcademy of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Qinghai University, Xining, ChinaIntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the seed germination characteristics and metabolic response mechanisms of Medicago ruthenica under saline-alkali stress, with the goal of elucidating its physiological and molecular mechanisms of salt-alkali tolerance.MethodsIt was systematically analyzed the germination characteristics of four M. ruthenica germplasm resources (YSZ, XHZ, Shoulu, and Longzhong 1) from different origins with various concentrations of individual salts (NaCl, Na2SO4, NaHCO3) and compound saline-alkali stress treatments. Additionally, the metabolite changes in the domesticated species under saline-alkali stress were examined using metabolomics technology.ResultsThe results indicated that low concentrations of NaCl stress did not significantly inhibit the germination of M. ruthenica seeds; rather, it promoted germination to some extent. In contrast, high concentrations of NaHCO3 and compound saline-alkali stress significantly inhibited both seed germination and seedling growth. The germination characteristics of M. ruthenica germplasm resources from different sources exhibit variability under saline-alkali stress. Domesticated species demonstrated strong tolerance to salt-alkali conditions. Metabolomic analyses indicated that saline-alkali stress significantly impacts key metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, sugar metabolism, and lipid metabolism in M. ruthenica sprouts, with a notable increase in the accumulation of amino acids and their derivatives. Correlation analyses revealed that amino acids such as L-arginine, histidine, and glutamine are significantly positively correlated with germination rate and root length, suggesting that these amino acids play a crucial role in M. ruthenica’s response to saline-alkali stress.DiscussionThis study provided a new theoretical foundation for understanding the salt-alkali tolerance mechanisms of M. ruthenica and serves as an important reference for breeding salt-alkali tolerant forage varieties and for the ecological restoration of saline-alkali land.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1592555/fullMedicago ruthenicaadversity stresssaline-alkali landseed germinationmetabolomics
spellingShingle Xiaoli Wei
Xiaoli Wei
Jie Wang
Jie Wang
Chengti Xu
Chengti Xu
Yuanyuan Zhao
Yuanyuan Zhao
Xiaojian Pu
Xiaojian Pu
Wei Wang
Wei Wang
Guangxin Lu
Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress
Frontiers in Plant Science
Medicago ruthenica
adversity stress
saline-alkali land
seed germination
metabolomics
title Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress
title_full Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress
title_fullStr Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress
title_short Analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of Medicago ruthenica in response to saline-alkali stress
title_sort analysis of germination characteristics and metabolome of medicago ruthenica in response to saline alkali stress
topic Medicago ruthenica
adversity stress
saline-alkali land
seed germination
metabolomics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1592555/full
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