Amorphophallus muelleri possesses significant economic value due to its high glucomannan content and superior quality. However, above-zero low temperatures severely restrict its distribution and yield. Despite this, the plant’s resistance mechanisms and regulatory responses to chilling stress remain poorly understood. This study examined the physiological, morphological, and molecular responses of both its roots and leaves to sustain chilling stress at 4°C for seven days. By integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses, we characterized organ-specific alterations in secondary metabolism and identified key molecular pathways activated in response to low temperature, to elucidate the adaptive strategies employed by A. muelleri . Our results indicated that leaves were more susceptible to chilling injury than roots. All organs sharing two conserved core pathways: linoleic acid and its related lipid metabolism, and flavonoid-related biosynthesis (including flavone and flavonol biosynthesis). These pathways form the fundamental basis for cold tolerance by maintaining membrane stability and alleviating oxidative stress. Distinct organ-specific strategies were identified: leaves prioritized membrane remodeling via dramatic upregulation of FAD3 (231.4-fold relative to the control); roots enhanced flavone, flavonol, and flavonoid accumulation through F3H and CHS induction; corms activated galactose metabolism for energy supply and raffinose synthesis. These findings provide novel insights into A. muelleri ’s integrated cold adaptation mechanisms, offering candidate genes and strategies for breeding cold-tolerant genotypes to improve seedling survival and productivity of tropical/subtropical tuber crops under suboptimal temperatures. • The response mechanisms of roots and leaves of A. muelleri to 4 ℃ stress are distinct. • Leaves are more chilling-susceptible, with fatty acid desaturase upregulation. • Roots upregulate F3H/CHS to accumulate flavonoids and mitigate oxidative stress.
Qi et al. (Sun,) studied this question.