Utilizing transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal drought tolerance mechanism inNicotiana tabacum

Abstract

AbstractThe development and growth of plants are significantly impacted by adverse surroundings, particularly drought conditions. The yield and quality of plants, in particular, are heavily reliant on the presence of favorable growth conditions. Here, we performed comprehensive research to investigate phenotype, physiological characteristics, transcriptomic and metabolomic changes inNicotiana tabacum(N. tabacum) in responses to drought stress (DS). This work aimed to investigate the detailed responses ofN. tabacumto DS under different drought conditions (CK, well-watered; LD, light drought; MD, moderate drought and SD, severe drought).N. tabacumgrew normally under CK but was inhibited under LD, MD and SD stress; the relative water content, transpiration rate and protective enzyme activity significantly influenced under DS. In the LD/CK, MD/CK and SD/CK comparison groups, there were 7483, 15558 and 16876 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively, and 410, 485 and 523 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), respectively. The combined analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data unveiled the significant involvement of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in theN. tabacum’s response to drought stress. These findings characterized the key metabolites and genes in responses to drought stress inN. tabacum, hence offering valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms driving these responses to DS and maintaining plant health under climate change.