Changes in Sugar Metabolism and Gene Transcriptional Responses in Flood-Stressed Grafted Prunus persica Plants
摘要
The study addresses the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of two Prunus persica rootstocks (“Capdeboscq” and “Tsukuba 1”) grafted with the “Rubimel” scion cultivar to flooding stress, focusing on aspects such as stomatal conductance (gs), sugar metabolism, and gene expression (genes associated with glycolytic, fermentative, sugar, osmotic regulation, and ethylene pathways). The “Tsukuba1”/“Rubimel” combination exhibited a more rapid decrease in gs, indicating an early stress response, while “Capdeboscq”/“Rubimel” maintained higher starch reserves in the leaves, highlighting differential sugar partitioning. The sorbitol dehydrogenase (PpSDH) and sucrose phosphate synthase (PpSPS) genes were upregulated possibly contributing to the increased starch concentration in “Capdeboscq”/“Rubimel.” Conversely, the sorbitol transporter 1 (PpSOT1) gene was negatively regulated in the tissues of “Tsukuba1”/“Rubimel,” suggesting a decrease in shoot-to-root sugar transport, resulting in a considerable increase in sugars in the leaves and a decrease in the roots. In the fermentative pathway, genes such as lactate dehydrogenase (PpLDH), pyruvate decarboxylase (PpPDC), and alcohol dehydrogenase (PpADH) were activated in “Tsukuba1”/“Rubimel” to sustain ATP production under hypoxic conditions. In summary, “Capdeboscq”/“Rubimel” demonstrated adaptation through greater sugar storage and maintenance of stomatal conductance, while “Tsukuba1”/“Rubimel” relied on rapid sugar breakdown and fermentation. These findings contribute to the selection of more flood-resistant Prunus spp. rootstocks.