Li Qingquan, Wang Yue, Gao Yunfei, Wang Qiao, Niu Zhimin, Nan Xiangri, Fan Guoquan, Sheng Wanmin
Institute of Industrial Crops of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Potato Biology and Quality Improvement, Harbin, 150086, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 17;15(1):26000. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-11875-1.
Potato maturity is a complex and vital agronomic trait directly impacting yield, quality, and economic value. Despite its importance, the molecular regulatory networks governing potato maturity remain largely unexplored. In this study, the factors underlying maturity differences between early-maturing (KX23) and late-maturing (DN310) tetraploid potato cultivars were investigated for the first time under field conditions. Tuber yields, starch content, flowering time, maturity and the number of morphologically modified stolons and initiated tubers were measured, revealing that maturity differences between KX23 and DN310 are linked to the timing of tuberization processes. To explore the molecular basis of these differences, RNA-seq analysis was performed on hooked stolons, swollen stolons, and initiated tubers, identifying key pathways involved in tuberization. WGCNA and qRT-PCR further pinpointed critical genes contributing to these pathways. DEGs between the two cultivars were primarily enriched in secondary metabolite pathways. Notably, a significant overlap of DEGs between KX23 and DN310 across the three developmental stages was identified, with enrichment in carbohydrate metabolism pathways. In total, 28 candidate genes consistently involved in tuber induction and formation were identified. Based on their functions, a model explaining how KX23 achieves faster tuberization, shortening its maturity period, was proposed. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of tuberization and maturity in potatoes.
马铃薯成熟度是一个复杂且至关重要的农艺性状，直接影响产量、品质和经济价值。尽管其重要性，但调控马铃薯成熟度的分子调控网络在很大程度上仍未被探索。在本研究中，首次在田间条件下研究了早熟（KX23）和晚熟（DN310）四倍体马铃薯品种成熟度差异的潜在因素。测量了块茎产量、淀粉含量、开花时间、成熟度以及形态学上发生改变的匍匐茎和起始块茎的数量，结果表明KX23和DN310之间的成熟度差异与块茎形成过程的时间有关。为了探究这些差异的分子基础，对钩状匍匐茎、肿胀匍匐茎和起始块茎进行了RNA测序分析，确定了参与块茎形成的关键途径。加权基因共表达网络分析（WGCNA）和定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）进一步确定了对这些途径有贡献的关键基因。两个品种之间的差异表达基因（DEGs）主要富集在次生代谢物途径中。值得注意的是，在三个发育阶段中，KX23和DN310之间的DEGs存在显著重叠，且富集在碳水化合物代谢途径中。总共鉴定出28个始终参与块茎诱导和形成的候选基因。基于它们的功能，提出了一个解释KX23如何实现更快块茎形成从而缩短其成熟期的模型。这些发现为马铃薯块茎形成和成熟度的分子调控机制提供了有价值的见解。
