Abstract:【Objective】This study aimed to investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in different kiwifruit materials, with the goal of providing a foundation for future breeding and genetic improvement efforts to enhance drought resistance in kiwifruit. 【Methods】Four kiwifruit cultivars with varying degrees of drought tolerance were selected: 'Bruno' (Actinidia deliciosa), 'XD-GZ-7' (A. polygama), 'XD-RZ-1' (A. eriantha), and 'DJY-DE-1' (A. valvata). These cultivars were chosen based on previous observations of their drought tolerance and represent diverse genotypes from collected germplasm. Drought stress was simulated using 25% PEG-6000, applied at five time points (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days). Phenotypic assessments included observations of leaf wilting, plant dehydration, and overall drought response. Physiological parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (Pro), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured. In addition, transcriptome sequencing of the roots of 'DJY-DE-1' and 'Bruno' at 0, 4, and 8 days was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then, the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) algorithm was employed for module construction. The core steps of this algorithm involve calculating the similarity between genes to construct a gene clustering tree. In the constructed gene clustering tree, each branch represents an independent module. To more precisely delineate these modules, a dynamic tree cutting method was utilized to slice the gene clustering tree. To further quantify the co-expression similarity among the modules, the module eigengenes (MEs) for each module were calculated, and these eigengenes were then used to merge modules that exhibited similarity. Validation of key genes was conducted using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). 【Results】Significant differences in drought responses were observed between the materials. 'Bruno' exhibited early and severe symptoms of drought stress, with noticeable leaf wilting by day 4 (S3), and widespread dehydration by day 8, with a drought index of 87%, the highest among all cultivars. In contrast, 'DJY-DE-1' showed delayed drought symptoms, with minimal wilting and a low drought index of 33%, indicating superior drought tolerance. The intermediate cultivars, 'XD-GZ-7' and 'XD-RZ-1', displayed moderate wilting and dehydration, with drought indices of 67% and 60%, respectively. Physiological measurements supported these observations. 'Bruno' had significantly higher MDA levels under drought stress, indicating greater lipid peroxidation and cellular damage. Conversely, the more drought-tolerant cultivars, especially 'DJY-DE-1', showed elevated levels of proline and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), suggesting better protection against oxidative damage. A fuzzy membership function analysis ranked the cultivars' drought tolerance as follows: DJY-DE-1 > XD-RZ-1 > XD-GZ-7 > Bruno, which was consistent with the phenotypic and physiological data. Transcriptome analysis identified 435,047 transcripts across the three time points, with 102,588, 100,951, and 104,974 DEGs identified at 0, 4, and 8 days, respectively. These DEGs revealed significant expression differences between the drought-tolerant 'DJY-DE-1' and the drought-sensitive 'Bruno'. Validation of eight highly expressed DEGs using qRT-PCR confirmed the accuracy of the transcriptome data. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that the DEGs were enriched in processes related to cellular metabolism, energy, and stress responses. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were involved in key pathways such as signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein folding, which are critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis under drought stress. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) further identified five key DEGs (TRINITY_DN11629_c0_g1, TRINITY_DN257031_c0_g1, TRINITY_DN3814_c0_g1, TRINITY_DN9194_c0_g1 and TRINITY_DN16120_c0_g1) as potential regulators of drought tolerance, offering valuable targets for future genetic improvement. 【Conclusion】This study employed a comprehensive approach, integrating physiological and transcriptomic data, to explore the mechanisms of drought tolerance in kiwifruit. The findings provide important insights into the molecular basis of drought response and pave the way for breeding and genetic strategies to enhance drought resistance in kiwifruit. The identification of key drought-responsive genes highlights potential avenues for improving crop adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
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