Genome-wide identification of WRKY transcription factors and their target genes associated with drought and salt stress tolerance in Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) is a valuable tree species widely used in afforestation and land reclamation. This species plays a crucial role in establishing resilient forest ecosystems in arid regions, contributing to soil erosion prevention and environmental improvement. The high adaptability of R. pseudoacacia makes it one of the key species for restoring degraded lands. In this study, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was conducted, including multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, gene structure examination, and conserved motif identification of WRKY transcription factors. Special attention was given to the promoter regions of R. pseudoacacia genes associated with drought and salt stress responses to identify WRKY-recognized motifs (W-box) within their sequences. The results highlight the diversity of biological processes regulated by the WRKY transcription factor family. The findings provide valuable insights for selecting candidate genes that can be utilized in breeding new R . pseudoacacia cultivars with enhanced drought and salt stress tolerance.