Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench): Analysis of LncRNA and Transcription Factors Involved in Abiotic Stress

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Monech) belonging to the family Malvaceae which are locally called as bhindi, ladies finger, and considered as one of the important vegetable crop in India followed by Brazil, USA, West Africa, South Africa and Turkey. Its production experiences many abiotic and biotic stresses. Several studies examined on these stresses only at physiological and biochemical level. However, until date there is no information in okra with respect to TFs for abiotic stress and lncRNA on the whole genome scale. The objective of this study was to search for TFs and lncRNA from a comprehensive pooled transcriptome data derived from seedlings (20 days old) stressed with high temperature, high salt and low moisture, and from different parts of okra plant. We have identified 57 675 lncRNA, further classified and validated them. And also documented 112 597 unigenes, and 1281 TFs using comprehensive pooled transcriptome data. The findings of this study will aid in understading the structure of okra genome and the molecular changes in okra during plant growth, development and its response to abiotic stresses.