Scion genotypes exert long distance control over rootstock transcriptome responses to low phosphate in grafted grapevine

Background Grafting is widely used in horticulture and rootstocks are known to modify scion growth and adaptation to soil conditions. However, the role of scion genotype in regulating rootstock development and functioning has remained largely unexplored. In this study, reciprocal grafts of two grapevine genotypes were produced as well as the corresponding homo-graft controls. These plants were subjected to a low phosphate (LP) treatment and transcriptome profiling by RNA sequencing was done on root samples collected 27 h after the onset of the LP treatment. Results A set of transcripts responsive to the LP treatment in all scion/rootstock combinations was identified. Gene expression patterns associated with genetic variation in response to LP were identified by comparing the response of the two homo-grafts. In addition, the scion was shown to modify root transcriptome responses to LP in a rootstock dependent manner. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified modules of correlated genes; the analysis of the association of these modules with the phosphate treatment, and the scion and rootstock genotype identified potential hub genes. Conclusions This study provides insights into the response of grafted grapevine to phosphate supply and identifies potential shoot-to-root signals that could vary between different grapevine genotypes.