Genome-wide identification of microRNA associated with osmotic stress and the role of microRNA319 in Medicago ruthenica seedlings

Drought stress is one of the main types of abiotic stress in the process of plants growth and development causing severe reductions in plant productivity, especially in agricultural production. Medicago ruthenica (2n = 2x = 16) is a perennial legume forage widely distributed in northern China. M. ruthenica also has great ecological value due to its advantages of drought, cold, salt and alkali environments resistance.