Integrated transcriptome and metabolome profiling unveils the tolerance network to potassium deficiency in wild soybean ecotypes

Facing the severe challenge of global soil potassium deficiency on crop production, two different ecological row types of wild soybean [ Glycine soja sieb. & Zucc. In order to reveal the physiological and molecular mechanisms of tolerance to low potassium stress in glycine soja, we compared the differences in transcriptional and physiological responses to low potassium stress between the common type (GS1) and the barren tolerant Type (GS2) . Growth parameters and ion content determination found that GS2 exhibited higher root biomass and K+/Na+ ratio. Combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis found that sugar metabolism was enhanced in GS2, manifested by the accumulation of soluble sugars such as sucrose and fructose and the maintenance of a stable TCA cycle. The increase of shikimic acid, proline and unsaturated fat constitutes the efficient antioxidant defense system and cell membrane stability maintenance mechanism of GS2. This study not only clarified the key regulatory network of wild soybean tolerance to low potassium stress, but also provided valuable genetic resources and technical support for genetic improvement of crop stress resistance.