Transcriptomic Analysis of Leaf Color Development in Toona sinensis: Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Pigmentation in Three Cultivars

Toona sinensis, a medicinal and edible plant, holds economic and ecological significance in Asia. Despite its diverse applications, the genetic basis of leaf color formation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying color variations across three cultivars (red, brown, green) at different developmental stages. Young tender leaflets from apical tips and fully expanded leaflets from basal positions of the same compound leaf were collected for RNA-Seq analysis.