Transcriptomic and physiological responses of two Capsicum annuum L. cultivars to drought stress and exogenous strigolactone (GR24) application.

This study investigates the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic responses of two pepper cultivars under drought stress induced by drought stress and treated with exogenous strigolactone. Physiological traits, antioxidant activities, and differential gene expression analyses were performed. A total of 380 lncRNAs, 36 circRNAs, 18 miRNAs, and 4128 DEGs were identified. Results suggest that GR24 mitigates drought-induced stress and that Cozum shows higher drought tolerance than Oguz. This project provides insights into ncRNA-mediated mechanisms of drought adaptation in Capsicum annuum L.