Stable Reference Gene Selection for qRT-PCR Normalization in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) Leaves under Different Stress and Light-Quality Conditions

Selecting an appropriate reference gene is of crucial importance for improving the accuracy qRT-PCR analyses. In this study, strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) seedlings were subjected to different environmental conditions including heat, cold, drought, salt, white-light, blue-light, and red-light treatments. The expression levels seven candidate genes, Fa18S, FaGAPDH, FaPIRUV, FaDBP, FaHISTH4, FaACTIN1, FaACTIN2, in leaves measured by qRT-PCR. Then, four programs (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, RefFinder) employed as tools evaluate stability genes. results showed that genes varied under conditions. For cold stress white-light treatments, FaACTIN2 was evaluated be most stable gene. FaGAPDH should used salt-stress condition treatment. data normalization drought-stress treatment, FaDBP recommended with highest stability. FaHISTH4 observed best heat blue-light This work provides information on selecting accurate analyses target various abiotic light-quality