Malus domestica Raw sequence reads. Malus domestica

Small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) including miRNAs and siRNAs are pivotal regulators of plant growth and development. Although the key role of sRNAs in the phase transition has been well described in Arabidopsis and some other annual plants; it remains to be elusive in perennial woody trees. Here, we performed Illumina sequencing of sRNA libraries prepared from juvenile and reproductive buds from the apple trees. The study provides new insight into our understanding of fundamental mechanism of poorly studied phase transitions in apple and other woody plants and important resource for future in-depth research in the apple development.