Analysis of Amino Acids in the Roots of Tamarix ramosissima by Application of Exogenous Potassium (K+) under NaCl Stress

Soil salinization is one of the main environmental factors affecting plant growth worldwide. Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. (T. ramosissima) is a halophyte representative that is widely grown in salinized soils. As an important nutrient element for plant growth, K+ plays an important role in improving the tolerance to salt stress, but the mechanism of reducing the damage caused by NaCl stress to T. ramosissima is less reported. Our results show that the proline content and the Log2 fold-change of proline’s relative quantification in the roots of T. ramosissima increased over time with the application of exogenous potassium (K+) for 48 h and 168 h under NaCl stress. Moreover, 13 amino-acid-related metabolic pathways were involved in the resistance of T. ramosissima to salt stress. Mainly, the aldehyde dehydrogenase family genes and tryptophan-synthase-related genes were found at 48 h and 168 h with exogenous potassium applied to the roots of T. ramosissima under NaCl stress, and they regulated their related metabolic accumulation in the arginine and proline metabolism pathways, increasing the effectiveness of inducing NaCl tolerance of T. ramosissima. It is noteworthy that alpha-ketobutyric was produced in the roots of T. ramosissima under NaCl stress for 48 h with the application of exogenous potassium, which is one of the most effective mechanisms for inducing salt tolerance in plants. Meanwhile, we found three DEGs regulating alpha-ketobutyric acid. This study provides a scientific theoretical basis for further understanding the molecular mechanism of K+ alleviating the salinity damage to T. ramosissima caused by NaCl.