Identification and Functional Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) and metabolites Response to Mowing in Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.)

Hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) is an significant cereal crop and a substantial source of forage for animals. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and metabolites play crucial roles in the regeneration of hulless barley plants following mowing and in the accumulation of nutrients. In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets from hulless barley plants at 2 hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours after mowing to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs and metabolites.The research revealed that, in comparison to the non-mowing control, there were 190, 90, and 438 differentially expressed lncRNA genes at the corresponding time points. We identified 14 lncRNA genes that exhibited significant differential expression consistently across all time points after mowing, with 11 downregulated and 3 upregulated. These differentially expressed lncRNAs target genes involved in critical processes such as cytokinin signaling pathway, cell wall degradation pathway, accumulation of storage proteins, and promotion of biomass increase. Additionally, we identified 10 differentially expressed metabolites targeting various metabolic pathways, including plant hormones, alkaloids, and flavonoids, before and after mowing at different time points. Examination of endogenous hormones showed that cytokinin likely played a crucial role in the regeneration of hulless barley after mowing. This study established a comprehensive dataset of lncRNAs, metabolites and hormones in hulless barley after mowing, providing valuable insights into the functional characteristics of lncRNAs, metabolites and hormones in regulating plant regeneration after mowing. Specifically, the results indicate the significance of cytokinin in facilitating the regeneration process of hulless barley after mowing. This comprehensive dataset serves as an important resource for further understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying plant regeneration and may have implications for crop improvement strategies.