Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis of the Response Mechanisms of Ginseng to Rust Root Symptoms

Abstract

Background: Ginseng rusty root symptoms (GRS) is one of the primary diseases of ginseng. It leads to a severe decline in the quality of ginseng. Results: Compared with Healthy ginseng (HG), 949 metabolites and 9451 genes in diseased tissues were significantly changed at the metabolic and transcription levels. The metabolic patterns of the diseased tissues changed significantly, and organic acids, alkaloids, alcohols, and phenols may play a vital role in the response of ginseng to this disease. There were significant differences in the expression of plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, peroxidase pathway, and multiple genes in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway.Conclusion: The current study performed a comparative metabolome and transcriptome analysis of GRS and HG. Based on the findings at the transcriptional and metabolic levels, the mechanism model of ginseng response to rusty root symptoms was established. Our results provide new insights into ginseng's response to rusty root symptoms, which will help reveal the potential molecular mechanisms of this disease in ginseng.