Hort. Sci. (Prague), X:X | DOI: 10.17221/131/2025-HORTSCI

Combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the regulatory mechanism of branch bending on leaf bud development in Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. KochOriginal Paper

Wei Wu1, Kun Hu2, Ming Gong3, Xiaohua Yao4, Shao Yang5, Qing Song2, Xueying Li1, Qin Yang1, Yan Wang1
1 Institute of Agricultural Machinery and Engineering, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
2 Shuiqingmuhua Ecological Technology Co., Ltd.,Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
3 Seedling Station of Forestry Bureau of Anhui Province,Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
4 Subtropical Forestry Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry,Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
5 Anqing Normal University,Anqing, Anhui, P.R. China


Abstract: Branch bending is an important cultivation practice that manipulates plant growth by promoting lateral bud growth. Although this practice has been applied to various plant species, no research has been conducted to identify its effect on the molecular regulatory mechanism in Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch leaf bud development. This study analysed dynamic changes in hormone concentrations, differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) by integrating transcriptome, widely targeted metabolome, and targeted hormone metabolome after branch bending in leaf buds. Key regulatory pathways were also investigated using multi-omics analysis. Transcriptome analysis identified 132 DEGs (117 up-regulated, 15 down-regulated) between treated and control groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated that these DEGs were mainly enriched in sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis and pentose and glucuronate interconversion pathways. Widely targeted metabolome screened 62 DAMs, which were mainly enriched in flavonoid-related biosynthetic pathways, including biosynthesis of quercetin aglycones I, biosynthesis of chalcone II, and flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathways. Targeted hormone metabolome showed branch bending increased auxin (IAA), cytokinins acid (CTK), and jasmonate (JA) concentrations, but reduced abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GA), and salicylic acid (SA) concentrations. Multi-omics integration identified 7 core co-enriched pathways, namely carotenoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and metabolic pathways. These main pathways work together to facilitate the influence of branch bending on enhanced leaf bud development by regulating hormone homeostasis, the production of secondary metabolites, and signal transduction. This study discusses the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in branch bending and its role in regulating the development of C. illinoinensis leaf buds. It also offers key basic data, theoretical support for optimising its high-quality cultivation techniques, as well as significant practical guidance for the optimisation of branch bending technology through the regulation of leaf bud development.

Keywords: pecan; shoot orientation; plant hormones; transcriptome; metabolome; bud morphogenesis

Received: November 28, 2025; Revised: January 26, 2026; Accepted: February 18, 2026; Prepublished online: October 2, 2026 

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