*2.6. qRT-PCR Analysis 2.6. qRT-PCR Analysis* In order to validate the RNA-seq data and confirm the differential expression genes, we

**3. Discussion**

In order to validate the RNA-seq data and confirm the differential expression genes, we performed qRT-PCR on sixteen candidate DEGs associated with salt stress. The results revealed that these DEGs include AHL, dehydrin-1, highly ABA-induced PP2C gene, proline transporter 2-like, sodium/hydrogen exchanger 4, serine/threonine-protein kinase, heat shock protein, Cation/H(+) antiporter, wall-associated receptor kinase-like and dehydrin-3 were up-regulated in the leaves with salt treatment (Figure 6), whereas major allergen variant Cor, dehydrin-2, phosphoglycerate kinase, potassium transporter, peroxidase 4 and WRKY transcription factor were down- regulated in the leaves with salt treatment. The results indicated that these sixteen candidate DEGs had the same expression patterns compared with the sequencing data, suggesting the reliability of the RNA-seq data. performed qRT-PCR on sixteen candidate DEGs associated with salt stress. The results revealed that these DEGs include AHL, dehydrin-1, highly ABA-induced PP2C gene, proline transporter 2-like, sodium/hydrogen exchanger 4, serine/threonine-protein kinase, heat shock protein, Cation/H(+) antiporter, wall-associated receptor kinase-like and dehydrin-3 were up-regulated in the leaves with salt treatment (Figure 6), whereas major allergen variant Cor, dehydrin-2, phosphoglycerate kinase, potassium transporter, peroxidase 4 and WRKY transcription factor were down- regulated in the leaves with salt treatment. The results indicated that these sixteen candidate DEGs had the same expression patterns compared with the sequencing data, suggesting the reliability of the RNA-seq data.

**Figure 6.** qRT-PCR validation of sixteen selected DEGs in leaves. Fold changes of the DEGs are shown. The expression levels in CK were arbitrarily set to 1. Error bars represent the standard deviations of three technical PCR replicates. **Figure 6.** qRT-PCR validation of sixteen selected DEGs in leaves. Fold changes of the DEGs are shown. The expression levels in CK were arbitrarily set to 1. Error bars represent the standard deviations of three technical PCR replicates.
