Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Cold Tolerance in Rice Seedling Plants

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (AsA) plays a crucial role in the physiological processes of rice plants when they encounter various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the specific mechanism by which AsA affects cold tolerance in rice seedlings remains unclear. Two rice genotypes, Zhongzao39 (ZZ39) and its recombinant inbred line RIL82, were exposed to cold stress, resulting in more damage observed in RIL82 compared to ZZ39. This damage included higher levels of relative electrolytic leakage (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, a lower Fv/Fm, and a lower survival rate. A comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and metabolome data indicated that AsA was involved in regulating cold tolerance in ZZ39 and RIL82 seedling plants. AsA content increased in ZZ39 while it decreased in RIL82 under cold stress. Additionally, analysis of carbohydrate contents highlighted their important role in the responses to cold stress of these two genotypes. Importantly, exogenous AsA and sucrose, either alone or in combination, enhanced the values of maximum fluorescence quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and effective quantum yield (YII) as well as decreased H2O2 and MDA levels to improve cold tolerance in both genotypes compared with plants treated with H2O. These findings highlight the potential significance of AsA in mitigating the effects of cold stress on rice seedling plants.