Transcriptomic analysis of the cytokinin response in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaves

Cytokinins (CKs) not only promote the growth of female flowers in industrial hemp but also serve as plant hormones that influence leaf development and regulate various genes, including transcription factors. The molecular mechanism of cytokinin response in industrial hemp leaves remains unclear. In this study, industrial hemp Longma 5 was utilized, with 60 mg·L^− 1 and 120 mg·L^− 1 of 6-BA sprayed at the three-leaf stage, followed by transcriptome sequencing at the mature stage. 3244 DEGs were identified in the Ctrl (control) vs. B60 (60 mg·L^− 1 6-BA treatment) group, including 1714 upregulated genes and 1530 downregulated genes; 7818 DEGs were identified in the Ctrl vs. B120 (120 mg·L^− 1 6-BA treatment) group, including 3772 upregulated genes and 4046 downregulated genes. Further analysis showed that these DEGs were primarily enriched in pathways associated with metabolism and energy, including photosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna protein, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The CTK, auxin, ABA, GA, ETH and JA signaling pathways displayed differential gene expression under 6-BA treatment. A total of 283 transcription factors were categorized into 16 families, suggesting that CKs could enhance the growth and metabolism of industrial hemp. This study lays the groundwork for further exploring the molecular mechanisms of the CTK effect on industrial hemp.