Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic study reveal that exogenous 24‐epiandrosterone mitigate alkaline stress in broomcorn millet ( <i>Panicum miliaceum</i> L.) via regulating photosynthesis and antioxidant capacity

Globally, land alkalinization affecting agricultural development. Considering the increasingly serious effects of alkaline stress on agriculture and environment, phytoremediation may be an efficient way to addressed alkalinization. Broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a saline-alkaline-tolerant crop bioenergy crop. However, molecular mechanism response broomcorn remains large gap. To explore mitigation 24-epicastasterone (BR), CK (nutrient solution only), CB + 0.5 mg L−1 BR), AS (alkaline stress), AB BR) TA289 (alkaline-tolerant) SA223 (alkaline-sensitive) were investigated. Alkaline enhanced reactive oxygen species membrane lipid peroxidation. BR boosted antioxidant enzyme activities reduce oxidative stress. Simultaneously, attenuated Na+ toxicity maintained ion homeostasis. Additionally, significantly physiological structure photosynthetic properties. Transcriptomic metabolomic analyses applied further evaluate effect defense. The results showed that reduced transcriptional responses photosynthesis defense promoted accumulation effective metabolites such as biliverdin, l-glutamate, phosphoric acid. Taken together, application can alleviate damage by altering expression metabolite simple strategy This study reveals enhance capacity under stress, which provides theoretical support for cultivation crops lands breeding alkaline-tolerant varieties.