Metabolome Profiling of Heat Priming Effects, Senescence, and Acclimation of Bread Wheat Induced by High Temperatures at Different Growth Stages

Our previous study described stage-specific responses of 'Norin 61' bread wheat to high temperatures from seedling to tillering (GS1), tillering to flowering (GS2), flowering to full maturity stage (GS3), and seedling to full maturity stage (GS1-3). The grain development phase lengthened in GS1 plants; source tissue decreased in GS2 plants; rapid senescence occurred in GS3 plants; all these effects occurred in GS1-3 plants. The present study quantified 69 flag leaf metabolites during early grain development to reveal the effects of stage-specific high-temperature stress and identify markers that predict grain weight. Heat stresses during GS2 and GS3 showed the largest shifts in metabolite contents compared with the control, followed by GS1-3 and GS1. The GS3 plants accumulated nucleosides related to the nucleotide salvage pathway, beta-alanine, and serotonin. Accumulation of these compounds in GS1 plants was significantly lower than in the control, suggesting that the reduction related to the high-temperature priming effect observed in the phenotype (i.e., inhibition of senescence). The GS2 plants accumulated a large quantity of free amino acids, indicating residual effects of the previous high-temperature treatment and recovery from stress. However, levels in GS1-3 plants tended to be close to those in the control, indicating an acclimation response. Beta-alanine, serotonin, tryptophan, proline, and putrescine are potential molecular markers that predict grain weight due to their correlation with agronomic traits.

Automated summary

The study revealed that high-temperature stress affects 'Norin 61' wheat differently at different growth stages, leading to effects such as prolonged grain development, decreased source tissue, and rapid senescence. Metabolite contents varied in response to heat stress during different stages, influencing wheat growth and grain weight.