Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveal Possible Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Tea Plant Growth Elicited by Chitosan Oligosaccharide

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) plays an important role in the growth and development of tea plants. However, responses in tea plants trigged by COS have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis to understand the mechanisms of chitosan-induced tea quality improvement and growth promotion. The combined analysis revealed an obvious link between the flourishing development of the tea plant and the presence of COS. It obviously regulated the growth and development of the tea and the metabolomic process. The chlorophyll, soluble sugar, and amino acid content in the tea leaves was increased. The phytohormones, carbohydrates, and amino acid levels were zoomed-in in both transcript and metabolomics analyses compared to the control. The expression of the genes related to phytohormones transduction, carbon fixation, and amino acid metabolism during the growth and development of tea plants were significantly upregulated. Our findings indicated that alerted transcriptomic and metabolic responses occurring with the application of COS could cause efficiency in substrates in pivotal pathways and hence, elicited plant growth.