Physiological and Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Mechanism by Which Exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide Application Enhances Drought Resistance in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.)
Hao Zheng,
Jie Ma,
Wenli Huang,
Hongmei Di,
Xue Xia,
Wei Ma,
Jun Ma,
Jiao Yang,
Xiaomei Li,
Huashan Lian,
Zhi Huang,
Yi Tang,
Yangxia Zheng,
Huanxiu Li,
Fen Zhang,
Bo Sun
Affiliations
Hao Zheng
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Jie Ma
Bijie lnstitution of Agricultural Science, Bijie 551700, China
Wenli Huang
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Hongmei Di
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Xue Xia
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Wei Ma
Bijie lnstitution of Agricultural Science, Bijie 551700, China
Jun Ma
Bijie lnstitution of Agricultural Science, Bijie 551700, China
Jiao Yang
Bijie lnstitution of Agricultural Science, Bijie 551700, China
Xiaomei Li
Rice and Sorghum Research Institue, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Deyang 618000, China
Huashan Lian
School of Agriculture and Horticulture, Chengdu Agricultural College, Chengdu 611130, China
Zhi Huang
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yi Tang
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yangxia Zheng
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Huanxiu Li
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Fen Zhang
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Bo Sun
College of Horticulture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Drought stress is a key factor limiting the growth and tuber yield of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been shown to alleviate drought stress in several plant species; however, little is known about the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which BRs enhance drought resistance in potatoes. Here, we characterized changes in the physiology and transcriptome of the tetraploid potato variety ‘Xuanshu-2′ in response to drought stress after 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) pretreatment. The abscisic acid (ABA) content, photosynthetic capacity, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased; the intercellular CO2 concentration, relative conductivity, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, proline, and soluble sugar content were decreased after EBR pretreatment compared with plants under drought stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1330 differently expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the response to drought stress after EBR pretreatment. DEGs were enriched in plant hormone signal transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, circadian rhythm, flavonoid biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis. DEGs associated with the BR signaling and biosynthesis pathways, as well as ABA metabolic pathways were identified. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which BRs enhance the drought resistance of potatoes.
