Integrative transcriptome and metabolome analysis of coppicing-promoted regeneration and isoflavonoid metabolism in Acer triflorum Kom.

Coppicing, a traditional silvicultural practice, can induce rejuvenation and vigorous resprouting in woody plants, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this regeneration phenomenon remain poorly understood. Acer triflorum Kom . (three-flowered maple) is an ecologically and ornamentally valuable tree species whose regenerative capacity after coppicing has significant implications for sustainable forestry and germplasm conservation. This study elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying coppicing-enhanced regeneration in Acer triflorum Kom . via integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic multi-omics analysis. Current-year coppicing significantly activated the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway (Ko00943), which was characterized by the upregulation of key genes including 4'-methoxyisoflavone 2'-hydroxylase and the concomitant accumulation of major isoflavonoid metabolites, such as genistin and daidzein. The activation of this pathway exhibited a distinct gradient response that was closely correlated with multiple regenerative phenotypic traits, including shoot elongation. Furthermore, this study established a “coppicing-gene expression-metabolite accumulation-phenotypic output” regulatory cascade, demonstrating that isoflavonoid metabolism coordinates defense responses and regenerative growth to drive plant rejuvenation after mechanical wounding. These findings provide novel theoretical insights into the molecular mechanisms of post-coppicing regeneration in woody plants and offer a reliable scientific basis for optimizing tree rejuvenation and vegetative propagation techniques for Acer triflorum Kom . and other woody ornamental species.