Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential Genes Associated with Glyphosate Resistance in Cassava

Abstract Glyphosate, widely used in cassava cultivation to control weeds, also inhibits cassava growth, necessitating the development of herbicide-tolerant cassava varieties. In this study, 262 cassava varieties underwent screening for glyphosate tolerance, leading to the identification of the glyphosate-resistant (GR) variety ZM8701 and the glyphosate-sensitive (GS) variety SC9. The metabolic processes involved in crop response to herbicides typically encompass four stages: herbicide activation, binding, active transport, and degradation, with key roles played by gene families such as P450, GST, GT, and ABC transport proteins. Utilizing RNA-Seq analysis to explore the molecular mechanisms of glyphosate resistance in cassava, we confirmed through RT-qPCR validation the consistent overexpression of seven genes in resistant plants. These genes include four cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CytP450) genes, two glucosyltransferase (GT) genes, and one ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport protein gene. These seven genes represent crucial candidate genes that facilitate metabolic glyphosate resistance and warrant further investigation into their functionalities.