CLC gene family in Solanum lycopersicum: genome-wide identification, expression, and evolutionary analysis of tomato in response to salinity and Cd stress

These findings elucidate the SlCLC family's structural diversity, evolutionary constraints, and stress-responsive regulation, providing a framework for targeting specific SlCLC genes (e.g., <i>SlCLC05</i>) to enhance chloride homeostasis in crops under combined salinity and cadmium stress. This study will open a new research direction for genetic crop improvement to ensure protected vegetable production.