Primary root response to combined drought and heat stress is regulated via salicylic acid metabolism in maize

Abstract

The primary root is the first organ to perceive the stress signals for abiotic stress. In this study, maize plants subjected to drought, heat and combined stresses displayed a significantly reduced primary root length. Metabolic and transcriptional analyses detected 72 and 5,469 differentially expressed metabolites and genes in response to stress conditions, respectively. The functional annotation of differentially expressed metabolites and genes indicated that primary root development was mediated by pathways involving phenylalanine metabolism, hormone metabolism and signaling under stress conditions. Furthermore, we found that the concentration of salicylic acid and two precursors, shikimic acid and phenylalanine, showed rapid negative accumulation after all three stresses. The expression levels of some key genes involved in salicylic acid metabolism and signal transduction were differentially expressed under stress conditions. This study extends our understanding of the mechanism of primary root responses to abiotic stress tolerance in maize.

Multi‐omics atlas of combinatorial abiotic stress responses in wheat

“…SA had a demonstrated response in H and all combinatorial stress treatments. The importance of SA accumulation to combinatorial stress resilience has been demonstrated in maize; however, direct links to metabolic phenotypes have yet to be fully elucidated (Suraj et al., 2022; Yang et al., 2022). Khan et al.…”

“…SA had a demonstrated response in H and all combinatorial stress treatments. The importance of SA accumulation to combinatorial stress resilience has been demonstrated in maize; however, direct links to metabolic phenotypes have yet to be fully elucidated (Suraj et al, 2022;Yang et al, 2022). Khan et al (2013) found evidence in wheat that the adverse effects of heat stress on photosynthesis can be alleviated by induced proline accumulation and its interaction with ethylene, as demonstrated by the application of SA.…”

Analysis of the main antioxidant enzymes in the roots of Tamarix ramosissima under NaCl stress by applying exogenous potassium (K+)

“…In salt stress, plants’ root systems are the first organs to feel the stress signal, and they are most directly affected. ( Kenrick and Crane, 1997 ; Duan et al., 2022 ; Yang et al., 2022 ). Under normal plant growth conditions, the root system can absorb water and nutrients to maintain the dynamic balance of cells ( Jbir et al., 2001 ; Ibrahim et al., 2017 ), but salt stress will inhibit plant root respiration, affect root metabolism, and lead to internal root dysfunction, thereby destroying this balance ( Costa et al., 2007 ).…”

Analysis of the Antioxidant Mechanism of Tamarix ramosissima Roots under NaCl Stress Based on Physiology, Transcriptomic and Metabolomic

“…The root system of plants is the first organ to feel the stress signal under salt stress, and it is also the most directly damaged part [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Under normal growth conditions, the root system can absorb and transport water and nutrients to the aerial parts of the plant to maintain cellular homeostasis.…”