Multi‐omics atlas of combinatorial abiotic stress responses in wheat

Abstract

SUMMARYField‐grown crops rarely experience growth conditions in which yield can be maximized. Environmental stresses occur in combination, with advancements in crop tolerance further complicated by its polygenic nature. Strategic targeting of causal genes is required to meet future crop production needs. Here, we employed a systems biology approach in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to investigate physio‐metabolic adjustments and transcriptome reprogramming involved in acclimations to heat, drought, salinity and all combinations therein. A significant shift in magnitude and complexity of plant response was evident across stress scenarios based on the agronomic losses, increased proline concentrations and 8.7‐fold increase in unique differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) observed under the triple stress condition. Transcriptome data from all stress treatments were assembled into an online, open access eFP browser for visualizing gene expression during abiotic stress. Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis revealed 152 hub genes of which 32% contained the ethylene‐responsive element binding factor‐associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) transcriptional repression motif. Cross‐referencing against the 31 DETs common to all stress treatments isolated TaWRKY33 as a leading candidate for greater plant tolerance to combinatorial stresses. Integration of our findings with available literature on gene functional characterization allowed us to further suggest flexible gene combinations for future adaptive gene stacking in wheat. Our approach demonstrates the strength of robust multi‐omics‐based data resources for gene discovery in complex environmental conditions. Accessibility of such datasets will promote cross‐validation of candidate genes across studies and aid in accelerating causal gene validation for crop resiliency.

Genetic and Genomic Pathways to Improved Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Yields: A Review

“…Wheat production faces significant challenges due to a variety of environmental stresses that can lead to substantial yield losses. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective management strategies to sustain and enhance wheat productivity under adverse conditions [15]. Climatic stresses such as drought, heat waves, excessive moisture, and frost each uniquely impair wheat crops.…”

“…Improvements in grain quality have been achieved through gene editing and genomic analysis, which have facilitated the modification of genes related to grain size, gluten content, and nutritional value, thus meeting higher standards of food quality and safety [98]. Stress tolerance has also been enhanced through the use of genetic mapping and omics technologies, enabling the breeding of wheat strains that are resilient to abiotic stresses such as extreme temperatures and salinity [15].…”

Editorial: The past, present and future of The Plant Journal Resource Articles

“…These three papers thus collectively present new opportunities to identify tools by which to tackle the most pressing problem of developing climate-resilient crops. In a similar vein Da Ros et al provided a multi-omics atlas of combinatorial abiotic stress responses in wheat (Da Ros et al, 2023). They investigated physio-metabolic adjustments and transcriptome reprogramming involved in acclimations to heat, drought, salinity and all combinations therein.…”

Transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal molecular insights into waterlogging tolerance in Barley

“…The responses of plants to environmental stresses are complex processes, and the rapid advancement of multi-omics technologies allows the in-depth investigation on how plants coordinate these intricate processes across multiple omics levels to achieve abiotic stress tolerance [ 33 – 35 ]. However, the mechanism of barley resistance to waterlogging has not been comprehensively investigated.…”