Genome-wide transcriptome analysis and physiological variation modulates gene regulatory networks acclimating salinity tolerance in chickpea

Abstract Salinity is a major abiotic stress that global threat to crop production, including chickpea. This study focused on understanding the complex molecular mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance using comparative transcriptome analysis of tolerant (ICCV 10, JG 11) and sensitive (DCP 92-3, Pusa 256) chickpea genotypes in control salt-stressed environments. A total 530 million reads were generated from root samples four Illumina HiSeq-2500. 21,698 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified, which 11,456 10,242 up- down-regulated, respectively, analysis. These DEGs associated with crucial metabolic pathways, hormone signaling, photosynthesis, lipid carbohydrate metabolism, cell wall biogenesis. Gene ontology (GO) examination revealed an enrichment transcripts involved response. 4257 GO terms categorized into 64 functional groups; which, like, integral component membrane, organelle, cellular anatomical entity highly represented under salt stress. Significant up-regulation encoding potassium transporter family HAK/KUP proteins, MIP/aquaporin protein family, NADH dehydrogenase, pectinesterase, PP2C proteins occurred The lines 10 engaged efficient machinery response elevated stress, especially for signal transduction, transport influx K+ ions, osmotic homeostasis. overall highlights role potential candidate their regulatory networks can be utilized breeding cultivars.