Transcriptome analysis provides insights into candidate genetic regulators of birch response to salt stress

After 24 h of 200 mM NaCl, birch Betula halophila leaves showed 956 differentially expressed genes, with expression patterns resembling Betula platyphylla roots.

• Why it matters: Soil salinization threatens agriculture and ecosystems, and prior birch transcriptome work lacked a direct cross-species comparison of transcriptional changes.
• What they did: Leaves of Betula halophila and leaves plus roots of Betula platyphylla were profiled, DEGs were identified after 24 h salt stress, then Gene Ontology enrichment and a gene regulatory network were built; RT-qPCR validated selected DEGs.
• The result: In Betula halophila leaves and Betula platyphylla roots, DEGs were enriched for cell wall organization/biogenesis, while hormone biosynthesis and signaling changes were mainly in Betula platyphylla tissues, supporting candidate regulators for salt-tolerant birch breeding.

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