Abstract
Potassium (K) is a critical macronutrient for sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), playing a vital role in metabolic processes, sucrose accumulation, and yield formation. Herein, this study systematically evaluated the effects of potassium oxide (K2O) application on sugarcane (cultivar YZ1696) growth at the seedling and tillering stages. Hydroponic experiments demonstrated that 6 mmol/L K2O optimally promoted seedling growth, whereas field trials revealed that 150 kg/ha K2O maximized growth rate, yield, and sucrose content. Sugarcane growth exhibited a biphasic response—stimulation followed by inhibition—with increasing K2O dosage at both developmental stages. Transcriptomic profiling of sugarcane roots under low-potassium (K-deficient), optimal potassium, and high-potassium conditions identified 10,266 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the most pronounced transcriptional shifts occurring under K deficiency. Functional enrichment analysis identified DEGs associated with potassium transport, calcium signaling, and carbohydrate metabolism. Notably, potassium uptake was mediated by distinct mechanisms: Shaker family channels (AKT1, AKT2, SPIKE) and the TPK family member KCO1 were induced under optimal K supply, whereas HAK/KUP/KT transporters (HAK1/5/10/21/25) exhibited broad activation across K concentrations, underscoring their key role in K homeostasis. Furthermore, calcium signaling genes (e.g., CIPK23) displayed K-dependent expression patterns. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified key gene modules that correlated strongly with agronomic traits, including plant height, yield, and sucrose content. Optimal K conditions favored the expression of yield- and sucrose-associated genes, suggesting a molecular basis for K-mediated productivity enhancement. Our findings revealed the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying K-dependent sugarcane improvement, providing actionable insights for precise potassium fertilization to maximize the yield and sugar content.
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Claims 10
Claim · model-written summary
6 mmol/L K2O optimally promoted seedling growth.
- Taxon
- sugarcanet0
- Organ / stage
- seedlinge0
- Treatment
- 6 mmol/L K2Oe0
- Outcome
- seedling growthe0
- Direction
- optimally promotede0
- Setting
- Hydroponic experimentse0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“Hydroponic experiments demonstrated that 6 mmol/L K2O optimally promoted seedling growth, whereas field trials revealed that 150 kg/ha K2O maximized growth rate, yield, and sucrose content.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
150 kg/ha K2O maximized field growth rate, yield and sucrose content.
- Taxon
- sugarcanet0
- Treatment
- 150 kg/ha K2Oe0
- Outcome
- growth rate, yield, and sucrose contente0
- Direction
- maximizede0
- Setting
- field trialse0
Not reportedComparator
Verbatim
e0“Hydroponic experiments demonstrated that 6 mmol/L K2O optimally promoted seedling growth, whereas field trials revealed that 150 kg/ha K2O maximized growth rate, yield, and sucrose content.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
Growth rose then fell as K2O dosage increased.
- Taxon
- Sugarcanet0
- Treatment
- increasing K2O dosagee0
- Outcome
- Sugarcane growthe0
- Qualifier
- stimulation followed by inhibitione0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Sugarcane growth exhibited a biphasic response—stimulation followed by inhibition—with increasing K2O dosage at both developmental stages.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
Root profiling identified 10,266 DEGs, with the greatest shifts under K deficiency.
Verbatim
e0“Transcriptomic profiling of sugarcane roots under low-potassium (K-deficient), optimal potassium, and high-potassium conditions identified 10,266 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the most pronounced transcriptional shifts occurring under K deficiency.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
DEGs were associated with potassium transport, calcium signaling and carbohydrate metabolism.
Verbatim
e0“Functional enrichment analysis identified DEGs associated with potassium transport, calcium signaling, and carbohydrate metabolism.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
AKT1, AKT2, SPIKE and KCO1 were induced at optimal K supply.
Verbatim
e0“Shaker family channels (AKT1, AKT2, SPIKE) and the TPK family member KCO1 were induced under optimal K supply”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
HAK transporters were broadly activated across K concentrations.
Verbatim
e0“HAK/KUP/KT transporters (HAK1/5/10/21/25) exhibited broad activation across K concentrations”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
CIPK23 showed K dependent expression.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“calcium signaling genes (e.g., CIPK23) displayed K-dependent expression patterns.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
Gene modules correlated strongly with height, yield and sucrose content.
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified key gene modules that correlated strongly with agronomic traits, including plant height, yield, and sucrose content.”
t0“Sugarcane”
Claim · model-written summary
Optimal K favored expression of yield and sucrose associated genes.
Verbatim
e0“Optimal K conditions favored the expression of yield- and sucrose-associated genes, suggesting a molecular basis for K-mediated productivity enhancement.”
t0“Sugarcane”
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