Transcriptome and hormonal profiles of Polygonatum kingianum under low temperature stress

Polygonatum kingianum is a significant medicinal and edible plant, with low temperatures serving as a critical environmental factor that restricts its distribution and growth. In this study, the freezing tolerance of P. kingianum was enhanced by pre-treating seedlings at 4°C for 3 days. The differential expression of transcripts and hormones during the freezing treatment and subsequent recovery process was compared between control and cold-acclimated samples. A total of 93 differential hormones were identified among these samples along with 372.63 Gb of transcriptome data. This study provides insights into potential hormones and candidate genes involved in the freezing resistance of P. kingianum , facilitating strategies to cope with extreme temperatures during its cultivation and the selection of freezing-tolerant varieties.