Exploring the Heat Shock Transcription Factor (HSF) Gene Family in Ginger: A Genome-Wide Investigation on Evolution, Expression Profiling, and Response to Developmental and Abiotic Stresses

Ginger is a valuable crop known for its nutritional, seasoning, and health benefits. However, abiotic stresses, such as high temperature drought, can adversely affect growth development. Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) have been recognized crucial elements enhancing heat drought resistance in plants. Nevertheless, no previous study has investigated the HSF gene family ginger. In this research, total of 25 ZoHSF members were identified ginger genome, which unevenly distributed across ten chromosomes. The divided into three groups (HSFA, HSFB, HSFC) based on their structure, protein motifs, phylogenetic relationships with Arabidopsis. Interestingly, we found more collinear pairs between genes from monocots, rice, wheat, banana, than dicots like Arabidopsis thaliana. Additionally, 12 that likely arose duplication events. Promoter analysis revealed hormone response (MEJA-responsiveness abscisic acid responsiveness) dominant among various cis-elements related to stress promoters. Expression pattern confirmed differential expression different tissues, most showing responsiveness stress. This lays foundation further investigations functional role ZoHSFs regulating responses