Integrated physiological and transcriptome analyses of the effects of water-soluble amino acid fertilizer on plant growth
Tobacco is a key component of China’s economy, serving as a major cash crop. With traditional fertilizers
reaching their maximum potential in promoting tobacco growth, the exploration of new fertilizers has emerged
as a viable solution for advancing experimental sustainable development. Spraying foliar fertilizer is a key
measure to improve tobacco yield and quality. This study employed a combination of field and pot experiments
to investigate the effects of applying water-soluble amino acid fertilizers on the growth, development, and
quality of tobacco. The results of transcriptome analysis and physiological index measurements indicate that the
application of water-soluble amino acid fertilizer can enhance the area of tobacco leaves, promote photosynthesis,
and improve the chemical composition of the leaves. This research determined that the optimal concentration
for spraying water-soluble amino acid fertilizer is diluted 500 times. Transcriptome analysis identified
a total of 6,489 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 3,843 genes that were up-regulated and 2,646
genes that were down-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis demonstrated that these DEGs were significantly
associated with processes including cell recognition, photosynthesis, thylakoid components, calcium
ion binding, and carbohydrate binding. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)
pathway enrichment analysis emphasized that the DEGs were largely found in pathways related to photosynthesis-
antenna proteins, interactions between plants and pathogens, photosynthesis itself, phenylpropanoid
biosynthesis, and plant hormone signaling. Further research revealed that a significant number of genes involved
in the auxin, gibberellin, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid signal transduction pathways exhibited varying
expression patterns following the application of water-soluble amino acid fertilizers. Additionally, the expression
levels of bZIP, MYB, WRKY, bHLH, and AP2/ERF transcription factors exhibited significant variations following
the application of water-soluble amino acid fertilizer. These results analyze the mechanisms of action of watersoluble
amino acid fertilizers, offering new effective strategies to enhance both the yield and quality of tobacco.
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