Systems-Level Developmental Reprogramming Under Waterlogging Stress in Cowpea Revealed by Integrated Phenotypic, Physiological, and Transcriptomic Analysis.

Waterlogging triggers stage- and genotype-specific transcriptional and physiological responses in cowpea, with the tolerant UCR369 showing enhanced recovery and adaptation mechanisms.

• Why it matters: Understanding how cowpea responds to waterlogging is crucial for improving resilience in climate-vulnerable regions, yet the molecular and physiological mechanisms remain poorly characterized.
• What they did: Researchers integrated phenotypic, physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic data from multiple cowpea genotypes and stages, employing RNA-seq, pathway analysis, transcription factor profiling, WGCNA, and machine learning to identify key response pathways and predictors.
• The result: The study revealed core response pathways, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and carbohydrate reprogramming, and identified trait-linked molecular predictors, providing targets for breeding and functional validation to enhance waterlogging tolerance.