Integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolites reveals an essential role of metabolic flux in starch accumulation under nitrogen starvation in duckweed

Based on these results, it can be concluded that the increase of ADP-glucose and starch contents under nitrogen starvation is a consequence of increased output from the gluconeogenesis and TCA pathways, accompanied with the reduction of lipids and pectin biosynthesis. The results provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of starch accumulation during nitrogen starvation, which provide a foundation for the improvement of advanced bioethanol production in duckweed.