Genes, pathways and networks responding to drought stress in oil palm roots

Oil palm is the most productive oilseed crop and its oil yield is seriously affected by frequent drought stress. However, little is known about the molecular responses of oil palm to drought stress. We studied the root transcriptomic responses of oil palm seedlings under 14-day drought stress. We identified 1293 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), involved in several molecular processes, including cell wall biogenesis and functions, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and metabolisms, ion transport and homeostasis and cellular ketone metabolic process, as well as small molecule biosynthetic process. DEGs were significantly enriched into two categories: hormone regulation and metabolism, as well as ABC transporters. In addition, three protein–protein interaction networks: ion transport, reactive nitrogen species metabolic process and nitrate assimilation, were identified to be involved in drought stress responses. Finally, 96 differentially expressed transcription factors were detected to be associated with drought stress responses, which were classified into 28 families. These results provide not only novel insights into drought stress responses, but also valuable genomic resources to improve drought tolerance of oil palm by both genetic modification and selective breeding.