Dynamic transcriptomic and metabolomic responses to seed germination in Luffa cylindrica.

Abstract

Seed dormancy is a critical agronomic trait that affects uniform germination and seedling establishment in Luffa cylindrica. In this study, we performed phenotypic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses on two contrasting Luffa cylindrica materials: Z-184 and Z-114. Phenotypic evaluation revealed that compared with Z-114 seeds, Z-184 seeds exhibited significantly lower germination potentials and germination rates. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the DEGs were predominantly associated with plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling, and metabolic pathways. Metabolomic profiling revealed 2,469 metabolites, with 728 showing significant changes during dormancy release. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses highlighted coordinated changes in hormone-, energy-, and secondary metabolism-related pathways. Hormone quantification further demonstrated that the differential accumulation of GA₄, trans-zeatin and trans-zeatin riboside (tZ + tZR), and 2- cis-4-trans- (+) abscisic acid (an isomer of abscisic acid, ABA) was closely associated with the contrasting dormancy phenotypes. These findings provide reference data for the study of the dormancy mechanism of seeds in Luffa cylindrica and lay the foundation for the breeding of weakly dormant Luffa cylindrica.