Abstract

Background Lagerstroemia indica , a key summer flower in China, has weak salt tolerance. Understanding its molecular mechanisms is crucial for breeding. Results In this study, we investigated the physiological responses and the changes of gene expression and metabolites in L. indica seedlings subjected to varying concentrations of NaCl using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches. The results showed that increasing NaCl concentrations significantly inhibited root elongation and stem growth. Significant differences were observed in SOD activities, POD activities, and MDA content among treatment groups. Salt stress markedly influenced gene expression and metabolite accumulation, with the 4‰ NaCl treatment group (Li4) exhibiting the highest number of DEGs and DAMs compared to the control (Li0). Transcriptome analysis revealed that pathways including plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling, ribosome function, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, photosynthesis, and autophagy were significantly enriched. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) highlighted four key pathways: autophagy-other, peroxisome, valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation, and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Metabolomic profiling indicated that salt stress induced the accumulation of specific amino acids (L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, L-arginine, e.g.) and secondary metabolites (4-indolecarboxaldehyde, indole-3-acrylic acid, N-benzylcarboxamide, e.g.), while reducing levels of others such as L-threonine, D-sucralose, and MEHP. These compounds may serve as potential biomarkers of salt stress response in L. indica. Association analysis further indicated that biosynthesis of amino acids and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism play key roles in the response of L. indica seedlings to salt stress. Further integrative analysis revealed strong correlations between metabolites and genes. Specifically, L-threonic acid was highly correlated with Li