Physiological and transcriptomic analyses of the mechanism of metformin-mediated relief in toxicity caused by saline-alkali to Akebia trifoliata

In the cultivation of Akebia trifoliata, the issue of salt-alkaline stress is frequently encountered. We aimed to enhance its salt-alkali tolerance by employing exogenous metformin, and through physiological and transcriptomic analyses, unravel the mechanisms by which metformin alleviates the toxicity induced by salt-alkali stress in A. trifoliata.