Work

Root flavonoids and anthocyanins are associated with cadmium tolerance in Kosteletzkya pentacarpos under moderate salinity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cd pollution, exacerbated by industrial development in coastal regions, poses a significant threat to wetland ecosystems and human health. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance in one industrial crop, halophyte Kosteletzkya pentacarpos , focusing on the role of flavonoids and anthocyanins in roots in mitigating Cd stress. Using integrated physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses, we demonstrated that exposure to 20 μM Cd suppressed plant growth and elevated ROS levels, concomitant with the accumulation of flavonoids and anthocyanins and up-regulation of their biosynthesis related genes in roots. Notably, supplementation with 50 mM NaCl primarily reduced Cd uptake and translocation, thereby lowering internal Cd stress and indirectly dampening the need for flavonoid/anthocyanin upregulation. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified key regulatory modules and hub genes (e.g., PAL-2 , WRKY3 , GR1–2 ) associated with flavonoid biosynthesis and redox homeostasis. Metabolomic profiling further revealed upregulation of metabolites involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in roots under Cd stress. These findings underscored the role of flavonoids and anthocyanins associated with Cd tolerance in roots of K. pentacarpos , providing a robust theoretical foundation for the application of this industrial crop in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated saline soils.

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.123409