Multi-omics Analyses Reveal Molecular Mechanisms of Potassium Deprivation Adaption in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

This study evaluated the level of genetic variation among 543 wheat associations differing in K-deficiency tolerance at seedling and adult plant stages. Two of the 543 wheat associations, i.e. KN9204 and BN207, were identified as extreme K-deficiency tolerant and sensitive cultivars, respectively. We further conducted transcriptomic and metabolomics analyses using the roots of KN9204 and BN207 under normal or K-deficient conditions.Integrated analysis of gene expression and metabolite profiles revealed that dramatically more genes including those involved in ion homeostasis, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and glutamine synthetase pathways were induced in KN9204 as compared with BN207 under K-deficient conditions, which might indicate their unique roles in regulating plant K-starvation tolerance. These findings provided a better understanding of molecular responses of root adaptive strategies to K deprivation in wheat. Root mRNA profiles of Kenong 9204 and Bainong 207 treated with normal potassium and low potassium for 14 days