Physiological, Biochemical, and Transcriptomic Responses to Iron Deficiency in Two Potato Varieties

This study aimed to elucidate the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional regulatory responses of potato plants to iron deficiency stress. Two potato varieties were selected for analysis: 05P (high tuber iron content) and CI5 (low tuber iron content). Tissue culture seedlings of both varieties were subjected to iron deficiency, and the effects on stem length, root length, fresh weight, soluble sugar and protein contents, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) values were evaluated. Additionally, the impact of iron deficiency on zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) concentrations in different tissues were analyzed. Transcriptomic sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed on various seedling tissues. The results showed that iron deficiency significantly inhibited seedling growth and development, resulting in reduced plant height and fresh weight, increased root length, decreased leaf SPAD content, and elevated soluble sugar and protein concentration. SOD, POD, and MDA activities were also significantly increased. Elemental analysis revealed that iron deficiency enhanced the uptake and accumulation of Zn, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Cu across different tissues. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) significantly enriched in pathways related to photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and ribosome function in roots, stems, and leaves. Iron deficiency induced the upregulation of H⁺-ATPase genes in roots (PGSC0003DMG400004101, PGSC0003DMG400033034), acidifying the rhizosphere to increase active iron availability. Subsequently, this was followed by the upregulation of <i>FRO</i> genes (PGSC0003DMG400000184, PGSC0003DMG400010125, PGSC0003DMG401009494, PGSC0003DMG401018223), which reduce Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺, and activation of <i>IRT</i> genes, facilitating Fe²⁺ transport to various tissues. Iron deficiency also reduced SPAD content in leaves, negatively impacting photosynthesis and overall plant growth. In response, the osmotic regulation and antioxidant defense systems were activated, enabling the plant to mitigate iron deficiency stress. Additionally, the absorption and accumulation of other metal ions were enhanced, likely as a compensatory mechanism for iron scarcity. At the transcriptional level, iron deficiency induced the expression of genes involved in metal absorption and transport, as well as those related to photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and ribosomal function, thereby supporting iron homeostasis and maintaining metabolic balance under stress conditions.