Transcription strategies  related to photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism of wheat in response to nitrogen deficiency

Abstract

Background: It is a great challenge to reduce nitrogen application without yield reduction in agricultural production. Screening response gene related to important pathways will be helpful to understand the physiology, metabolism, and morphology response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under nitrogen deficiency condition. Results: We conducted a hydroponic experiment with two nitrogen levels, which were complete nutrient solution (N1) and nutrient solution without nitrogen (N0). The results showed that the wheat phenotype were greatly changed under nitrogen deficiency, e.g., the decreased crop height, leaf area, root volume, photosynthetic rate, crop weight, and the increased root length, root surface area and root/shoot ratio. After a comprehensive analysis of the phenotype, transcriptome, GO pathways and KEGG pathways of wheat under nitrogen deficiency, we found that, the up-regulated Exp (24 genes) and Nrt (9 genes) families members were the positive response related to the increase of nitrogen absorption; the down-regulated Pet (3 genes), Psb (8 genes), Nar (3 genes) and Nir (1 genes) were related to the limitation of photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. Conclusions: This study provides 48 reference genes for improving photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism of wheat under nitrogen deficiency, which can provide molecular markers for gene editing breeding.