Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into the Safe Overwintering of Local Peach Flower Buds

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Peach flower buds have low cold resistance during winter dormancy.
• Understanding low-temperature responses is vital for ensuring fruit yield.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate physiological and molecular mechanisms of cold resistance in peach buds.
• Compare cold-tolerant ('Ding jiaba') and conventional ('Xia cui') cultivars.

Main Methods:

• Assessed antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, POD, CAT), MDA, proline, and H2O2 levels.
• Performed transcriptome sequencing across three dormancy stages (FD, MD, RD).
• Analyzed differential gene expression and pathway enrichment.

Main Results:

• Cold-resistant DJB buds showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity and proline content, with lower MDA and H2O2 than XC buds.
• 10,168 differentially expressed genes were identified.
• Key pathways enriched were plant hormone signal transduction and phenylpropane synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Cold-resistant peach cultivars exhibit superior antioxidant capacity against low-temperature stress.
• Identified key genes (ARF2, GH3, SAPK2) and transcription factor families (AP2/ERF-ERF, bHLH, C2H2) involved in cold resistance.
• Provides a foundation for understanding and enhancing peach cold tolerance.