Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis of the Mechanism of Foliar Application of Hormone-Type Growth Regulator in the Improvement of Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Coloration in Saline-Alkaline Soil

(1) Background: To solve the problems of incomplete coloration and quality decline caused by unreasonable use of regulators in grapes, this study clarified the differences in the effects of a hormone-type growth regulator (AUT) and two commercial regulators on grape coloration and quality through field experiments. (2) Methods: The color indexes (brightness (L*), red/green color difference (a*), yellow/blue color difference (b*), and color index for red grapes (CIRG)) of grape fruit were measured using a CR-400 handheld color difference meter. The titratable acid content, total phenol content, and total sugar content were measured using anthrone colorimetry, folinol colorimetry, and NaOH titration, respectively, and the chalcone isomerase activity, phenylalanine ammoniase activity, dihydroflavol reductase activity, and anthocyanin content were measured using a UV spectrophotometer. (3) Results: The a*, total sugar and total phenol contents, and chalcone isomerase (CHI) and phenylalanine ammoniase (PAL) activities of grape fruit in the AUT treatment significantly increased, while the titratable acid content significantly decreased, compared to those in the CK treatment. The expressions of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) trpB and argJ in AUT treatment were significantly up-regulated. The expressions of the differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) phenylalanine and 4-oxoproline were significantly up-regulated, while those of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and N-acetyl glutamate were significantly down-regulated. The CIRG significantly increased by 36.4% compared to that in the CK, indicating improved fruit coloration. (4) Conclusion: The AUT could shorten the color conversion period of grape fruit and improve the coloration, taste, and tolerance to saline and alkaline stresses.