Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Molecular Mechanisms under Salt Stress in Leaves of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)

Abstract

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is an important cereal for managing future water scarcity and ensuring food security, due to its strong drought and salt stress resistance owing to its developed root system. However, the molecular responses of foxtail millet leaves to salt stress are largely unknown. In this study, seeds of 104 foxtail millet accessions were subjected to 0.17 mol·L−1 NaCl stress during germination, and various germination-related parameters were analyzed to derive 5 salt-sensitive accessions and 13 salt-tolerant accessions. Hong Gu 2000 and Pu Huang Yu were the most salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive accessions, respectively. To determine the mechanism of the salt stress response, transcriptomic differences between the control and salt-treated groups were investigated. We obtained 2019 and 736 differentially expressed genes under salt stress in the salt-sensitive and salt-tolerant accessions, respectively. The transcription factor families bHLH, WRKY, AP2/ERF, and MYB-MYC were found to play critical roles in foxtail millet’s response to salt stress. Additionally, the down-regulation of ribosomal protein-related genes causes stunted growth in the salt-sensitive accessions. The salt-tolerant accession alleviates salt stress by increasing energy production. Our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of foxtail millet’s response to salt stress.

Metabolic Profiling Analysis Uncovers the Role of Carbon Nanoparticles in Enhancing the Biological Activities of Amaranth in Optimal Salinity Conditions

“…In our study, applying CNPs mitigated threshold salinity, stimulating beneficial plant reactions. Consistent with induced growth, CNPs improved the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments [41] and chloroplast development and protection [42]. According to previous research, CNMs positively affect the production of photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, and lycopene [43].…”

“…In contrast to the threshold salinity effect, CNPs are known to enhance the photosynthesis rate [42]. Consequentially, the increase in photosynthesis induces sugar production.…”

Synergistic effect of carbon nanoparticles with mild salinity for improving chemical composition and antioxidant activities of radish sprouts

“…This is crucial for seed priming because, in addition to being essential for autotrophic development, chloroplasts are also required for seed germination and their activity can be essential in the presence of abiotic stress ( Chen et al., 2021 ). The efficiency of photosynthesis can be increased by CNPs, as well as other critical biological processes like cell proliferation, cytoskeletal redox processes, and stress responses related to chloroplast development and protection ( Han et al., 2022 ).…”

Allelopathic Effects of Corn Straw and Its Water Extracts on Four Weed Species and Foxtail Millet

“…Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv) is an annual gramineous plant that originated in China [1,2] and has a short growth period, rich nutritional value [3][4][5], and strong drought and salt stress resistance. It is the main miscellaneous grain crop in dry farming ecological agriculture [6,7] and can be used as a substitute crop to supplement other economically valuable crops [8]. After years of development, the foxtail millet industry has made continuous progress under the premise of green and sustainable ecological development.…”