Transcriptomic and metabolic analysis of the root response of Vitis vinifera L. under short/ long-term salt stress

Salt stress adversely affects the growth and development of grapes ( Vitis vinifera L.), leading to reduced yields primarily due to root damage. This study aims to shed light on salt tolerance mechanisms in grape roots under both short-term (24 h) and long-term (15 days) stress conditions. The results revealed distinct patterns in the physiological and biochemical aspects between the two stress durations. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses highlighted the enrichment of pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and terpenoid biosynthesis in response to salt stress. Pathway analyses revealed significant differences in the gene expressions of 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase (4CL), cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), flavonol synthase (FLS), invertase (INV), sucrose synthase (SUS), and gibberellin 20 oxidase (GA20oX) between short-term and long-term salt stress conditions, contributing to the accumulation of corresponding metabolites such as p-coumatic acid, sucrose, Ga34-metabolites, leucoanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins. This study provides valuable insights into the complex regulatory network underlying salt tolerance in grape roots. • Grape roots showed distinct patterns in physiological, biochemical, metabolic aspects under short- and long-term salt stress. • Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses highlighted the enriched pathways in response to salt stress. • A model is proposed to elucidate salt tolerance mechanisms in grape roots.