Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes

Sugarcane (<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.) faces significant challenges in China, including labor-intensive cultivation, low yields, and environmental stresses. Enhancing root development and stress tolerance through phytohormones and molecular breeding is a promising approach to boosti...

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Main Authors: Xiao-Qiu Zhang, Yong-Jian Liang, Xiu-Peng Song, Mei-Xin Yan, Li-Qiu Tang, Zhen-Qiang Qin, Yu-Xin Huang, De-Wei Li, Dong-Mei Huang, Ze-Sheng Shi, Bao-Qing Zhang, Dong-Liang Huang
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1502
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author Xiao-Qiu Zhang
Yong-Jian Liang
Xiu-Peng Song
Mei-Xin Yan
Li-Qiu Tang
Zhen-Qiang Qin
Yu-Xin Huang
De-Wei Li
Dong-Mei Huang
Ze-Sheng Shi
Bao-Qing Zhang
Dong-Liang Huang
author_facet Xiao-Qiu Zhang
Yong-Jian Liang
Xiu-Peng Song
Mei-Xin Yan
Li-Qiu Tang
Zhen-Qiang Qin
Yu-Xin Huang
De-Wei Li
Dong-Mei Huang
Ze-Sheng Shi
Bao-Qing Zhang
Dong-Liang Huang
author_sort Xiao-Qiu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Sugarcane (<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.) faces significant challenges in China, including labor-intensive cultivation, low yields, and environmental stresses. Enhancing root development and stress tolerance through phytohormones and molecular breeding is a promising approach to boosting productivity. Indole-3-butyric acid is a phytohormone known for promoting root development and stress resistance. However, its effects on sugarcane root development under low temperature remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that IBA markedly promoted root initiation, elongation, and biomass under low temperature, and significantly increased the levels of phytohormones, including GA<sub>3</sub>, ABA, JA, IAA, and ZT, suggesting the activation of multiple signaling pathways. Transcriptome analysis revealed numerous differentially expressed genes related to metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and glutathione metabolism. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified core gene modules correlated with phytohormone activities, highlighting their role in the IBA-mediated stress response. Eleven core genes, including <i>GSTU6</i>, <i>FAR1</i>, and <i>BCAT3</i>, and nine hub genes, such as <i>Ub-CEP52-1</i> and <i>ACS1</i>, were identified as critical components for IBA-induced root development and stress mitigation. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying IBA-induced root development and stress tolerance in sugarcane, offering candidate genes for breeding high-yield, stress-tolerant varieties and demonstrating IBA’s potential as a strategy to enhance productivity under challenging conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-e41f1bfc242f4709a325563d17e1d04b2025-08-20T03:48:01ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-05-011410150210.3390/plants14101502Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate GenesXiao-Qiu Zhang0Yong-Jian Liang1Xiu-Peng Song2Mei-Xin Yan3Li-Qiu Tang4Zhen-Qiang Qin5Yu-Xin Huang6De-Wei Li7Dong-Mei Huang8Ze-Sheng Shi9Bao-Qing Zhang10Dong-Liang Huang11Guangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi South Subtropical Agricultural Science Research Institute, Chongzuo 532415, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi South Subtropical Agricultural Science Research Institute, Chongzuo 532415, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Sugarcane Biotechnology and Genetic Improvement (Guangxi), Sugarcane Research Institute, Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530007, ChinaSugarcane (<i>Saccharum officinarum</i> L.) faces significant challenges in China, including labor-intensive cultivation, low yields, and environmental stresses. Enhancing root development and stress tolerance through phytohormones and molecular breeding is a promising approach to boosting productivity. Indole-3-butyric acid is a phytohormone known for promoting root development and stress resistance. However, its effects on sugarcane root development under low temperature remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that IBA markedly promoted root initiation, elongation, and biomass under low temperature, and significantly increased the levels of phytohormones, including GA<sub>3</sub>, ABA, JA, IAA, and ZT, suggesting the activation of multiple signaling pathways. Transcriptome analysis revealed numerous differentially expressed genes related to metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and glutathione metabolism. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified core gene modules correlated with phytohormone activities, highlighting their role in the IBA-mediated stress response. Eleven core genes, including <i>GSTU6</i>, <i>FAR1</i>, and <i>BCAT3</i>, and nine hub genes, such as <i>Ub-CEP52-1</i> and <i>ACS1</i>, were identified as critical components for IBA-induced root development and stress mitigation. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying IBA-induced root development and stress tolerance in sugarcane, offering candidate genes for breeding high-yield, stress-tolerant varieties and demonstrating IBA’s potential as a strategy to enhance productivity under challenging conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1502abiotic stressroot systemphytohormonetranscriptomeseedcane
spellingShingle Xiao-Qiu Zhang
Yong-Jian Liang
Xiu-Peng Song
Mei-Xin Yan
Li-Qiu Tang
Zhen-Qiang Qin
Yu-Xin Huang
De-Wei Li
Dong-Mei Huang
Ze-Sheng Shi
Bao-Qing Zhang
Dong-Liang Huang
Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes
Plants
abiotic stress
root system
phytohormone
transcriptome
seedcane
title Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes
title_full Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes
title_fullStr Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes
title_full_unstemmed Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes
title_short Indole-3-Butyric Acid Enhances Root Formation and Alleviates Low-Temperature Stress in Sugarcane: Molecular Insights and Identification of Candidate Genes
title_sort indole 3 butyric acid enhances root formation and alleviates low temperature stress in sugarcane molecular insights and identification of candidate genes
topic abiotic stress
root system
phytohormone
transcriptome
seedcane
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/10/1502
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