Multiple Omics investigation into the regulatory mechanisms of tobacco growth and quality by transplanting period

To adapt to the climate change faced by agricultural production in recent years and to avoid abiotic stresses such as frost damage during transplanting of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L). New management strategies need to be adopted. The negative effects of abiotic stresses could be mitigated to promote tobacco growth and quality formation by appropriately altering the transplanting period. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of four different transplanting periods (April 29, May 7, May 15, and May 23) on the growth of flue-cured tobacco to determine the optimal transplanting period.And further, the mechanism of transplanting period affecting tobacco growth and development was analyzed by joint Multiple Omics. Better agronomic traits, physiological indicators, and chemical composition were shown by May 7 and May 15. Microbiome analysis revealed that beneficial microorganisms were enriched more and harmful microorganisms were reduced during the transplanting period on May 15th. Further by transcriptome analysis of transplanting period on May 9th and May 15th, antioxidant enzymes and carbon and nitrogen metabolism genes were significantly up-regulated in the transplanting period on May 15th, and resistance and nutrient cycling of the tobacco plant were improved. Metabolomic analysis showed that the sucrose-galactose pathway, amino acid metabolism and related metabolites of nucleotides were up-regulated in the transplanting period on May 15th, and energy metabolism was further enhanced, which was favorable for the growth and development of the tobacco plant and the formation of quality. In summary, the transplanting period on May 15th could provide a sustainable production strategy for tobacco to avoid abiotic stresses and improve resilience.