Combined genomics to discover genes associated with tolerance to soil carbonate

Carbonate-rich soils limit plant performance and crop production. Previously, local adaptation to carbonated soils was detected in wild Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, allowing the selection of two demes with contrasting phenotypes: A1 (carbonate tolerant, c+) and T6 (carbonate sensitive, c-). Here, A1((c+)) and T6((c)(-)()) seedlings were grown hydroponically under control (pH 5.9) and bicarbonate conditions (10 mM NaHCO3, pH 8.3) to obtain ionomic profiles and conduct transcriptomic analysis. In parallel, A1((c+)) and T6((c)(-)()) parental lines and their progeny were cultivated on carbonated soil to evaluate fitness and segregation patterns. To understand the genetic architecture beyond the contrasted phenotypes, a bulk segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-Seq) was performed. Transcriptomics revealed 208 root and 2503 leaf differentially expressed genes in A1((c+)) versus T6((c)(-)()) comparison under bicarbonate stress, mainly involved in iron, nitrogen and carbon metabolism, hormones and glycosylates biosynthesis. Based on A1((c+)) and T6((c)(-)()) genome contrasts and BSA-Seq analysis, 69 genes were associated with carbonate tolerance. Comparative analysis of genomics and transcriptomics discovered a final set of 18 genes involved in bicarbonate stress responses that may have relevant roles in soil carbonate tolerance.

Automated summary

Carbonate-rich soils limit plant performance and crop production. Local adaptation to carbonate soils was detected in two wild Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, A1 (carbonate tolerant) and T6 (carbonate sensitive). Transcriptomic analysis revealed differentially expressed genes related to metabolism and biosynthesis in A1 versus T6 under bicarbonate stress. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics identified 18 genes associated with bicarbonate stress response and soil carbonate tolerance.