Unveiling the transcriptome complexity of the High- and Low- Zinc & Iron accumulating Indian wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

Development of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and other minerals rich grains along with various stress tolerance and susceptible (STR) wheat genotype, will help to reduce globally spread malnutrition problem. Current study deals with transcriptome profiling of 4 high- and 3 low- Zn & Fe accumulating wheat genotypes (HZFWGs) and (LZFWGs). Functional characterization of expressed and high and low specific genes, accompanied by metabolic pathways analysis reveals, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and other associated pathways are mainly participating in plant stress defense mechanism in both genotypes. Chlorophyll synthesis, Zn & Fe binding, metal ion transport, and ATP-Synthase coupled transport mechanism are highly active in HZFWGs while in LZFWGs ribosomal formation, biomolecules binding activities and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Transcripts accountable for minerals uptake and purine metabolism in HZFWGs are highly enriched. Identified transcripts may be used for marker-assisted selection and breeding to develop minerals rich crops.