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Agronomy
Volume 15
Issue 8
10.3390/agronomy15081965
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Defense Responses in Prickly Pear (Cucumis metuliferus) to Meloidogyne incognita: Insights from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis

by
Hao Zhang
1,
Qigan Liang
1,
Jihao Chen
1,
Jiming Wang
2,
Yuan Huang
3,
Bin Liu
4,
Xuejun Zhang
1 and
Bo Zhou
1,*
1
Hainan Sanya Crop Breeding Experimental Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya 572022, China
2
Zhengzhou Fruit Tree Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450009, China
3
College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
4
Hami Melon Research Center, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi 830091, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081965
Submission received: 15 May 2025 / Revised: 4 August 2025 / Accepted: 11 August 2025 / Published: 14 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) poses a major threat to global agriculture by impairing root function, reducing nutrient uptake, and ultimately limiting seed development and crop productivity. This study investigated the molecular and metabolic defense responses of Cucumis metuliferus (prickly pear) to M. incognita infection. Gene expression and metabolic pathway reprogramming in M. incognita-infected roots were examined using integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches. The identified genes were involved in stress responses and defense activation. Furthermore, metabolite profiling revealed significant shifts in secondary metabolite production, with an upregulation of defense-related compounds like jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and prostaglandins. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analysis highlighted critical pathways such as biotin metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, underscoring the adaptive metabolic responses of C. metuliferus plants. GO (Gene Ontology) analysis from the integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics data highlighted significant upregulation of enzymatic pathways, transporter activities, and reorganization of cellular structures. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis revealed activation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, immune-related signaling pathways, and metabolic reprogramming including increased carbon metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis. This study provides a valuable molecular framework for breeding of M. incognita-resistant cultivars, ultimately supporting more stable seed distribution and agricultural productivity in M. incognita-prone regions.
Keywords: gene expression; Meloidogyne incognita; metabolomics; metabolic responses; transcriptomics gene expression; Meloidogyne incognita; metabolomics; metabolic responses; transcriptomics

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhang, H.; Liang, Q.; Chen, J.; Wang, J.; Huang, Y.; Liu, B.; Zhang, X.; Zhou, B. Defense Responses in Prickly Pear (Cucumis metuliferus) to Meloidogyne incognita: Insights from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis. Agronomy 2025, 15, 1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081965

AMA Style

Zhang H, Liang Q, Chen J, Wang J, Huang Y, Liu B, Zhang X, Zhou B. Defense Responses in Prickly Pear (Cucumis metuliferus) to Meloidogyne incognita: Insights from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis. Agronomy. 2025; 15(8):1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081965

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Hao, Qigan Liang, Jihao Chen, Jiming Wang, Yuan Huang, Bin Liu, Xuejun Zhang, and Bo Zhou. 2025. "Defense Responses in Prickly Pear (Cucumis metuliferus) to Meloidogyne incognita: Insights from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis" Agronomy 15, no. 8: 1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081965

APA Style

Zhang, H., Liang, Q., Chen, J., Wang, J., Huang, Y., Liu, B., Zhang, X., & Zhou, B. (2025). Defense Responses in Prickly Pear (Cucumis metuliferus) to Meloidogyne incognita: Insights from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis. Agronomy, 15(8), 1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081965

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