Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for Seashore Paspalum Response to Abiotic Stresses.

Seashore paspalum () is among the most salt- and cadmium-tolerant warm-season perennial grass species widely used as turf or forage. The objective of this study was to select stable reference genes for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of seashore paspalum in response to four abiotic stresses. The stability of 12 potential reference genes was evaluated by four programs (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder). combined with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) showed stable expression in Cd-treated leaves and cold-treated roots. and were the most stable reference genes in Cd-treated roots and cold-treated leaves. In Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)- or salt-treated roots, the reference gene paired with either or were stable. and exhibited the most stability in salt-treated leaves, and combining , , and was most suitable for PEG-treated leaves. The stability of and instability of and was validated by analyzing the expression levels of four target genes (, , , and ), and were shown to be capable of detecting subtle changes in expression levels of the target genes in seashore paspalum. This study demonstrated that , , and could be used in future molecular studies that aim to understand the mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance in seashore paspalum.