Identification and Comparative Analysis of Genes and MicroRNAs Involved in the Floral Transition of the Xinjiang Early-Flowering Walnut (Juglans regia L.)

For tree crops, shortening juvenile phase is a vital strategy for early flowering that ensure to bear fruits in advance to enhance breeding efficiency. In walnut (Juglans regia L.), it usually takes 3-5 years for blooming, but the early flowering (EF) walnut can even flower in a year after planted. The juvenile phase of EF walnut is shorter than the late flowering (LF) walnut, which is more propitious to breeding efficiency. In this study, using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and microRNA-seq, we profiled transcriptome-wide identification of gene expression and microRNAs between EF and LF walnuts. RNA-seq in Xinjiang Precocious Walnut and common walnut with three replicates