Transcription strategies related to photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism of wheat in response to nitrogen deficiency

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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Open Access

Transcription strategies related to photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism of wheat in response to nitrogen deficiency Xin Liu1,2*†, Chengmiao Yin3†, Li Xiang3, Weitao Jiang3, Shaozhuo Xu3 and Zhiquan Mao3†

Abstract Background: Agricultural yield is closely associated with nitrogen application. Thus, reducing the application of nitrogen without affecting agricultural production remains a challenging task. To understand the metabolic, physiological, and morphological response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) to nitrogen deficiency, it is crucial to identify the genes involved in the activated signaling pathways. Results: We conducted a hydroponic experiment using a complete nutrient solution (N1) and a nutrient solution without nitrogen (N0). Wheat plants under nitrogen-deficient conditions (NDC) showed decreased crop height, leaf area, root volume, photosynthetic rate, crop weight, and increased root length, root surface area, root/shoot ratio. It indicates that nitrogen deficiency altered the phenotype of wheat plants. Furthermore, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the phenotype, transcriptome, GO pathways, and KEGG pathways of DEGs identified in wheat grown under NDC. It showed up-regulation of Exp (24), and Nrt (9) gene family members, which increased the nitrogen absorption and down-regulation of Pet (3), Psb (8), Nar (3), and Nir (1) gene family members hampered photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. Conclusions: We identified 48 candidate genes that were involved in improved photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism in wheat plants grown under NDC. These genes may serve as molecular markers for genetic breeding of crops. Keywords: Nitrogen deficiency, Nitrogen metabolism, Photosynthesis, Transcriptome, Wheat

Background Excessive nitrogen application and low nitrogen utilization efficiency in winter wheat crops are challenging tasks across the world [1]. The low nitrogen utilization efficiency in wheat is primarily due to the excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer [2]. Besides, it causes environmental pollution and hampers the sustainable development of agriculture. On the premise of * Correspondence: [email protected] Xin Liu and Chengmiao Yin are both the first authors. † Zhiquan Mao has the equal contribution as Xin Liu. 1 State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, Shandong, China 2 ShanDong Shofine Seed Technology Co., Ltd., Jiangxiang 272400, Shandong, China Full list of author information is available at the end of the article

ensuring crop yield, reduced nitrogen application demands an urgent investigation. An in-depth understanding of physiological, metabolic, and morphological processes in wheat using molecular breeding methods can improve crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) [3, 4] in wheat plants grown under nitrogendeficient conditions (NDC). A detailed understanding of the plant’s physiology, metabolism, and root canopy structure is crucial for improving crop yield and resource utilizati