Nitrogen (N) is a key limiting macronutrient for crop growth and development and affects sweetpotato storage root formation and yield potential. In high-input production areas, excessive N application can suppress storage root formation and results in environmental pollution. The crop is also grown in low-input production systems with little or no N applications. In this study, sweetpotato cv Bayou Belle response to N deprivation during the establishment and storage root formation stages was investigated through a transcriptomic approach. RNA-seq data revealed a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between N sufficient ( N) and N deficient (–N) conditions at 5, 10, and 15 days after planting (DAP). The number of significantly upregulated genes varied between timepoints. DEGs were further classified into functional categories and pathways to reveal putative functions. Gene Ontology annotation together with KEGG analysis revealed that majority of the DEGs are involved in sulfur compound metabolic process at 5 DAP and in ammonium transport for both 10 DAP and 15 DAP. These results provide valuable insights about the molecular mechanism of N regulation in sweetpotato adventitious roots undergoing storage root formation. These findings can lead to the development of tools and processes for improving N use efficiency and consistent storage root yields while reducing environmental impact in this globally important crop.
