Transcriptome profiling of sweetpotato tuberous roots during low temperature storage

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Molecular Biology
• Postharvest Biology

Background:

• Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) is a vital global crop, but susceptible to chilling injury below 10°C.
• Postharvest damage during winter storage limits sweetpotato industrialization and marketability.
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms of chilling injury is crucial for improving storage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively analyze the sweetpotato tuberous root transcriptome under low-temperature stress.
• To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways involved in chilling injury response.
• To provide insights for enhancing postharvest storage strategies.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was employed to analyze transcriptomes.
• Tuberous roots were stored at optimal (13°C) and low (4°C) temperatures for six weeks.
• De novo assembly of clean reads and differential gene expression analysis were performed.

Main Results:

• A total of 3216 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and clustered.
• Upregulated genes (clusters 2, 4, 5) are involved in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, defense, and phenylalanine metabolism.
• Downregulated genes (clusters 1, 3, 6) are associated with antioxidant enzymes, glycerophospholipid, carbohydrate, and energy metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Transcriptome analysis reveals key molecular pathways underlying sweetpotato chilling injury.
• Identified DEGs offer potential targets for genetic improvement and storage technology development.
• This research advances the understanding of postharvest cold stress mechanisms in sweetpotato.