Spatio-temporal dynamics in global rice gene expression (Oryza sativa L.) in response to high ammonium stress

Abstract

Ammonium (NH4+) is the predominant nitrogen (N) source in many natural and agricultural ecosystems, including flooded rice fields. While rice is known as an NH4+-tolerant species, it nevertheless suffers NH4+ toxicity at elevated soil concentrations. NH4+ excess rapidly leads to the disturbance of various physiological processes that ultimately inhibit shoot and root growth. However, the global transcriptomic response to NH4+ stress in rice has not been examined. In this study, we mapped the spatio-temporal specificity of gene expression profiles in rice under excess NH4+ and the changes in gene expression in root and shoot at various time points by RNA-Seq (Quantification) using Illumina Hi..