Genome-wide identification and multiple abiotic stress transcript profiling of potassium transport gene homologs in .

Potassium (K) is the most abundant cation that plays a crucial role in various cellular processes in plants. Plants have developed an efficient mechanism for the acquisition of K when grown in K deficient or saline soils. A total of 47 K transport gene homologs (27 HAKs, 4 HKTs, 2 KEAs, 9 AKTs, 2 KATs, 2 TPCs, and 1 VDPC) have been identified in . Of 47 homologs, 33 were identified as K transporters and the remaining 14 as K channels. Chromosome 2 has been found as the hotspot of K transporters with 9 genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the conservation of sorghum K transport genes akin to . Analysis of regulatory elements indicates the key roles that K transport genes play under different biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Digital expression data of different developmental stages disclosed that expressions were higher in milk, flowering, and tillering stages. Expression levels of the genes and were higher during milk, , , , and during flowering, , , and 23 other gene expressions were elevated during tillering inferring the important role that K transport genes play during plant growth and development. Differential transcript expression was observed in different tissues like root, stem, and leaf under abiotic stresses such as salt, drought, heat, and cold stresses. Collectively, the in-depth genome-wide analysis and differential transcript profiling of K transport genes elucidate their role in ion homeostasis and stress tolerance mechanisms.