Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Differentially Expressed Transcripts Associated with Flowering Time of Loquat (Eriobotya japonica Lindl.)

Flowering is an important phenophase of plant species, however, knowledge about the regulatory mechanism controlling flowering cues in loquat limited. To identify candidate genes regulating time loquat, we used RNA-Seq technology to conduct a comparative transcriptome analysis differentiating apical buds collected from early-flowering variety ‘Baiyu’ and late-flowering ‘Huoju’. A total 28,842 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were identified. Of these, 42 DETs controlled while 17 other associated with ABA signaling pathway. Compared those ‘Huoju’, EjFT, EjFY, EjFLK, EjCAL1-like significantly upregulated ‘Baiyu’. Moreover, 8′-hydroxylases (EjABH2, EjABH4, EjABH4-like2), receptors (EjPYL4/8), bZIP transcription factor EjABI5-like compared Hence, they might regulate time. There was no significant difference between ‘Huoju’ terms IAA content. However, content ten-fold higher than The ABA:IAA ratio sharply rose attained peak during bud differentiation. Thus, vital floral formation loquat. results present study help clarify gene flowering.