Rootstock-Scion Exchanging mRNAs Participate in Watermelon Fruit Quality Improvement.

ABSTRACT: Grafting significantly enhances plant quality, including stress resistance and fruit quality. We previously found that grafting watermelon onto pumpkin can alter the metabolite content, but the involvement of mobile RNA was unclear. Here, we established and comprehensively analyzed mobile mRNA (mb-mRNA) profiles, transcriptomes, and metabolomes between the rootstock (pumpkin) and scion (watermelon). A total of 834 mobile RNAs were identified in the pulp and stem of pumpkin-grafted watermelon. GO (Gene Ontology) and KO (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Orthology) analyses revealed photosynthesis- and carbon fixation-related mobile RNAs (e.g., Photosystem II D2, P700 chlorophyll a apoprotein) in the watermelon pulp and cell division-related mobile RNAs in the stem. Additionally, trans

SUBMITTER: Ning K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12154523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature