RNA-seq analysis on salt stressed leaves of Ficus carica L.

Ficus carica L. (fig) is one of the most resistant fruit tree species to salinity,here we report a transcriptome analysis of F. carica cv. Dottato exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 7 weeks, where RNA-seq analysis was performed on leaf samples at 24 and 48 days after the beginning of salinization. At day 24, 224 transcripts were significantly up-regulated and 585 were down-regulated, while at day 48, 409 genes were activated and 285 genes were repressed. After an early down-regulation of some cell functions, major transcriptome changes were observed after 48 days of salinity. Seven weeks of 100 mM NaCl dramatically changed the repertoire of expressed genes, leading to activation or reactivation of many cell functions.These genes could be potential targets for the selection of favourable genotypes, through breeding or biotechnology, to improve salt tolerance in fig or other crops.