Boron (B) deficiency stress is frequently observed in pear orchards and causes a considerable loss of productivity and fruit quality. Pyrus betulaefolia is one of the most important rootstocks that has been widely used in pear production. The present study confirmed that the boron form of different tissues showed various changes, and the free boron content was significantly decreased under the short-term B deficiency condition. Moreover, the ABA and JA content also significantly accumulated in the root after short-term B deficiency treatment. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis of 24 h B deficiency treatment P. betulaefolia root was performed in this study. Transcriptome results revealed a total of 1230 up-regulated and 642 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. B deficiency significantly increased the expression of the key aquaporin gene NIP5-1. In addition, B deficiency also increased the expression of ABA (ZEP and NCED) and JA (LOX, AOS and OPR) synthesis genes. Several MYB, WRKY, bHLH and ERF transcription factors were induced by B deficiency stress, which may relate to the regulation of B uptake and plant hormone synthesis. Overall, these findings suggested that P. betulaefolia root had adaptive responses to short-term B deficiency stress by improved boron absorption ability and hormone (JA and ABA) synthesis. The transcriptome analysis provided further information for understanding the mechanism of the pear rootstock responses to B deficiency stress.
Keywords: aquaporin; boron deficiency; pear rootstock; plant hormone; transcriptome.