Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses provide insights into salt-stress response in germination and seedling stage of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

One of the key elements impacting the productivity of wheat production is soil salinity. Here, we characterize the metabolomic and transcriptome responses to salt stress in two distinct wheat cultivars with varying levels of salt tolerance. Cangmai 6005 (CM6005) is a new wheat variety bred in the Cangzhou Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. After salt treatment, the germination and seedling stage of CM6005 maintains green leaves and produces a longer bud length than the cultivar Kenong9204 (KN9204). In this study, we investigated genes/metabolite activity changes in both types subjected to salt and control treatments using integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses. By comparing data from the salt-treated plants with the control, 5161 (3235 upregulated and 1926 downregulated) and 211 (29 up and 182 downregulated) DEGs(Differentially Expressed Genes) were identified in the germination and seedling stage of CM6005. A total of 2061 (898 upregulated and 1163 downregulated) and 99 (84 upregulated and 15 downregulated) DEGs were identified in the germination and seedling stage of KN9204. CM6005's germination and seedling stage saw the identification of 792 (492 upregulated and 300 downregulated) and 2217 (1195 upregulated and 1032 downregulated) DAMs(Differentially Accumulated Metabolites), while KN9204's germination and seedling stage saw the identification of 1999 (997 upregulated and 1002 downregulated) and 1702 (860 upregulated and 842 downregulated) DAMs. The effects of salt stress on glycerolipid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism were significantly modulated under salt treatments in the germination and seedling stages of CM6005 and KN9204, respectively, according to an integrated analysis of gene expression and metabolite profiles, assessment of metabolic pathways, and KEGG enrichment. Our findings showed that salt treatments caused stress-induced significant alterations in both transcriptomes and metabolomes. Wheat salt tolerance was regulated by key pathways linked to glycerolipid and phenylalanine metabolism, and these pathways serve as a crucial guide for growing wheat in saline soil. GRAS and MYB transcription factors might also regulate Glycerolipid metabolism and Phenylalanine metabolism.