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Multi-omics reveals novel forage advantages of Potentilla anserina Linnaeus in high-salt habitats

Summary

Potentilla anserina, a traditional Tibetan plant, can be grown as animal feed on salty, unused land. Researchers found that when the plant is fermented as silage, it becomes more nutritious and develops beneficial microbes that help it resist salt and drought. This makes it a promising sustainable feed option for livestock raised in areas with saline soils.

Background

Potentilla anserina is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau with potential as a novel forage for ruminants. Saline-alkaline soils represent underutilized land resources that could support forage production. Understanding how P. anserina responds to high-salt conditions is essential for its development as sustainable feed.

Objective

To investigate the effects of volatile metabolites, non-volatile metabolites, bacteria, and fungi in P. anserina stems and leaves under three different treatments (fresh grass, hay, and silage) in high-salt versus normal habitats. The study aimed to assess forage quality and microbial community dynamics across processing methods.

Results

Silage improved crude protein and crude fat content compared to hay and fresh treatments. A total of 996 volatile and 928 non-volatile metabolites were identified, with 1-Nonen-3-one as the main volatile in silage and 3-O-Methylgalangin as the main non-volatile. SC-I-84, Methyloversatilis, and Pseudomonas were specific to P. anserina forage, while Podosphaera decreased significantly in high-salt conditions.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that P. anserina forage exhibits novel advantages for cultivation in high-salt habitats, with silage processing providing optimal nutrient retention. The specific bacterial taxa and metabolite profiles enhance the plant’s drought resistance and salt tolerance, supporting its potential as a sustainable feed resource in saline-alkaline environments.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41415813, PMCID: PMC12709920
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