Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Regulatory Mechanisms of Photosynthesis in Developing Ginkgo biloba Leaves

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a deciduous tree species with high timber, medicinal, ecological, ornamental, and scientific values, and is widely cultivated worldwide. However, for such an important tree species, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the photosynthesis of developing leaves remain largely unknown. Here, we observed variations in light response curves (LRCs) and photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic capacity (P(nmax)) and dark respiration rate (R(d))) of leaves across different developmental stages. We found the divergence in the abundance of compounds (such as 3-phospho-d-glyceroyl phosphate, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphate, and malate) involved in photosynthetic carbon metabolism. Additionally, a co-expression network was constructed to reveal 242 correlations between transcription factors (TFs) and photosynthesis-related genes (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.8). We found that the genes involved in the photosynthetic light reaction pathway were regulated by multiple TFs, such as bHLH, WRKY, ARF, IDD, and TFIIIA. Our analysis allowed the identification of candidate genes that most likely regulate photosynthesis, primary carbon metabolism, and plant development and as such, provide a theoretical basis for improving the photosynthetic capacity and yield of ginkgo trees.