Geospatial and Ecological Forces Shaping Multi-omics Shifts in Lycoris aurea (L'Hér.)

Background: With stunning golden-yellow flowers, the perennial bulbous plant Golden Spider Lily [ Lycoris aurea (L'Hér.)] thrives in temperate to subtropical regions of East Asia. Besides the ornamental value, L. aurea is also praised as a source of various biologics and a major pollinator attractant. The adaptability and resilience of L. aurea allow it to endure drought, waterlogging, and suboptimal soil conditions. However, the effect of habitat and ecology on L. aurea metabolites remains unexplored. Method This study investigates the spatial and environmental influences on the metabolites and gene expression of L. aurea using a combined metabolomic and transcriptomic approach. Bulbs were collected from five locations in China, selected for their diverse ecological and environmental conditions, including variations in temperature, precipitation, soil pH, and selenium concentration. The metabolites in the bulb extracts were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS, and RNA sequencing was performed to capture gene expression data. The correlation between environmental factors and metabolite accumulation, as well as gene expression, was analyzed to understand the plant’s adaptive mechanisms. Results The analysis revealed significant variations in the metabolite and gene expression profiles of L. aurea bulbs from different locations. Alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids were among the most abundant metabolites identified, with geographic differences influencing their abundance. For example, higher-altitude samples exhibited increased levels of flavonoids and terpenoids, compounds associated with plant defense mechanisms. Gene expression patterns mirrored these findings, with upregulation of genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis in plants from higher altitudes. Environmental factors such as soil pH, selenium concentration, and altitude were found to play significant roles in shaping both the metabolite composition and gene expression patterns of the plant. Metabolites related to plant defense, lignin production, biotic and abiotic stresses were affected mainly by spatial heterogeneity. Conclusion This study highlights the impact of environmental and spatial factors on the biochemical and genetic profiles of L. aurea , showing how the plant adapts to varying conditions. Altitude, latitude, and soil composition are key determinants of its metabolic output. These findings provide insights into optimizing cultivation and enhancing the medicinal properties of the plant. Future research should investigate the regulatory networks that link gene expression to metabolite biosynthesis in response to environmental cues.