Combined Analysis of the Metabolome and Transcriptome Reveals the Mechanism of Red-Heart Chinese Fir Heartwood formation

we conducted a combined analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome during the radial alteration of mature Red-heart Chinese fir xylem, Our study revealed the regulations of metabolite variations in heartwood formation for Red-heart Chinese fir, pinpointed the transition is the crucial point from primary to secondary metabolites, determined the type of heartwood formation in Red-heart Chinese fir, and screened potential transcription factors that regulate flavonoid biosynthesis. This study present a fresh perspective for the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying heartwood formation in forest trees.