Transcriptome analysis of octoploids and tetraploids in common reed (Phragmites australis)

We used a method of transcriptomic analysis on P. australis tetraploid and octoploid which have been grown in common garden, to find out the genetic effect in response to the same environment. We found out that tetraploid and octoploid diverged from 3.26 Mya, and octoploid expressed more genes related to response to abiotic stress. Multiple biased isoform usage of the same gene was detected in differentially expressed genes, and the ones that are upregulated in octoploids were related to reduced DNA methylation. Our study provided a new genetic insight into the role of polyploidization on stress tolerance in grass species.