De novo transcriptome assembly of Mango genotypes under salinity stress

This study is the first attempt at whole transcriptome sequencing of polyembryonic mango genotypes under salinity stress which are the potential candidates for rootstock breeding in mango. The study revealed differential expression of genes under different treatment levels in salt tolerant and susceptible mango genotypes including transcription factors (bZIP, NAC, bhLh), genes involved in signal transduction (CDPK), phytohormone biosynthesis and signalling, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, calcium signalling pathway, protein kinases and stress and defence. A strong positive correlation between qRT-PCR results and RNA-Seq data (R2 = 0.7939) indicated the reliability of the RNA-Seq expression profile in the present study. Being the first report on transcriptome sequencing of mango under salinity stress, this study will help in understanding the possible molecular mechanism underlying salt tolerance in mango. The genes identified could prove to be a potential source for development of SSR markers which can serve as valuable baseline information to generate new targets for mango breeding for salt tolerance.