Genomics-assisted prediction of salt and alkali tolerances and functional marker development in apple rootstocks

Saline, alkaline, and saline-alkaline stress severely affect plant growth and development. The tolerance of plants to these stressors has long been important breeding objectives, especially for woody perennials like apple. The aims of this study were to explore genetic network and molecular mechanism of plant stress tolerances via multi-omics strategies, such as RNA-seq, QTL mapping, and co-expression tools and to develop genomics-assisted prediction models for salt, alkali, and salt-alkali tolerance in apple rootstock.