Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress

Abstract Drought restricts plant growth and agricultural production. As an important medicinal plant, Blumea balsamifera is sensitive to water, but there is still a lack of systematic research on its drought response mechanism. In this study, four-month-old B. balsamifera seedlings were used as mate...

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Main Authors: Changmao Guo, Zejun Mo, Su Chen, Kailang Mu, Shi Yao, Qiumei Luo, Zhengwei Zhang, Tianjian Wang, Gang Liu, Yuchen Liu, Yuxin Pang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06916-w
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author Changmao Guo
Zejun Mo
Su Chen
Kailang Mu
Shi Yao
Qiumei Luo
Zhengwei Zhang
Tianjian Wang
Gang Liu
Yuchen Liu
Yuxin Pang
author_facet Changmao Guo
Zejun Mo
Su Chen
Kailang Mu
Shi Yao
Qiumei Luo
Zhengwei Zhang
Tianjian Wang
Gang Liu
Yuchen Liu
Yuxin Pang
author_sort Changmao Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Drought restricts plant growth and agricultural production. As an important medicinal plant, Blumea balsamifera is sensitive to water, but there is still a lack of systematic research on its drought response mechanism. In this study, four-month-old B. balsamifera seedlings were used as materials, and three groups were set up: normal irrigation (CK), drought stress (DS), and rewatering recovery (RW). The results showed that drought significantly inhibited the growth and photosynthesis of B. balsamifera. With the prolongation of stress time (day 12), the limiting factor of photosynthesis changed from initial stomatal limitation to non - stomatal limitation. In terms of physiology and biochemistry, B. balsamifera increased MDA content by actively reducing SPAD value and relative water content of leaves; and activates the antioxidant enzyme system to remove ROS, synergistically accumulates lignin, soluble sugar, proline and other osmotic adjustment substances, and jointly maintains cell water balance and membrane system stability. Through transcriptome and proteome analysis, 20,874 DEGs and 2770 DEPs were screened out, which were significantly enriched in terms related to ribosome, oxidoreductase activity, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and other pathways. A total of 55 drought - related DEGs - DEPs were identified by two - omics, and 18 key regulatory genes were screened. In summary, B. balsamifera formed a comprehensive drought resistance mechanism through photosynthesis, physiology and DEGs - DEPs network. This study provides theoretical support for the breeding and resource development of B. balsamifera, and also provides reference for the study of stress resistance of other medicinal plants.
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spelling doaj-art-43e0197a61a7490d891f5ca4b158c33c2025-08-20T03:37:20ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-07-0125111710.1186/s12870-025-06916-wStudy on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stressChangmao Guo0Zejun Mo1Su Chen2Kailang Mu3Shi Yao4Qiumei Luo5Zhengwei Zhang6Tianjian Wang7Gang Liu8Yuchen Liu9Yuxin Pang10College of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Drought restricts plant growth and agricultural production. As an important medicinal plant, Blumea balsamifera is sensitive to water, but there is still a lack of systematic research on its drought response mechanism. In this study, four-month-old B. balsamifera seedlings were used as materials, and three groups were set up: normal irrigation (CK), drought stress (DS), and rewatering recovery (RW). The results showed that drought significantly inhibited the growth and photosynthesis of B. balsamifera. With the prolongation of stress time (day 12), the limiting factor of photosynthesis changed from initial stomatal limitation to non - stomatal limitation. In terms of physiology and biochemistry, B. balsamifera increased MDA content by actively reducing SPAD value and relative water content of leaves; and activates the antioxidant enzyme system to remove ROS, synergistically accumulates lignin, soluble sugar, proline and other osmotic adjustment substances, and jointly maintains cell water balance and membrane system stability. Through transcriptome and proteome analysis, 20,874 DEGs and 2770 DEPs were screened out, which were significantly enriched in terms related to ribosome, oxidoreductase activity, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and other pathways. A total of 55 drought - related DEGs - DEPs were identified by two - omics, and 18 key regulatory genes were screened. In summary, B. balsamifera formed a comprehensive drought resistance mechanism through photosynthesis, physiology and DEGs - DEPs network. This study provides theoretical support for the breeding and resource development of B. balsamifera, and also provides reference for the study of stress resistance of other medicinal plants.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06916-wDrought stressDrought resistance mechanismTranscriptomicsProteomicsBlumea balsamifera L
spellingShingle Changmao Guo
Zejun Mo
Su Chen
Kailang Mu
Shi Yao
Qiumei Luo
Zhengwei Zhang
Tianjian Wang
Gang Liu
Yuchen Liu
Yuxin Pang
Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
BMC Plant Biology
Drought stress
Drought resistance mechanism
Transcriptomics
Proteomics
Blumea balsamifera L
title Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
title_full Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
title_fullStr Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
title_full_unstemmed Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
title_short Study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of Blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
title_sort study on the physiological mechanism and molecular regulatory network of blumea balsamifera in response to drought stress
topic Drought stress
Drought resistance mechanism
Transcriptomics
Proteomics
Blumea balsamifera L
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06916-w
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