Selection and Validation of Reference Genes in Different Tissues of Okra ( L.) under Different Abiotic Stresses.

Okra ( L.) is a particular vegetable with both edible and medicinal values. However, the expression pattern of the okra reference genes in response to abiotic stress has not been explored. In the present study, 18 potential reference genes were selected from okra in various tissues and abiotic stress conditions, and their expression levels were detected by Real-Time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Their expression stabilities were calculated by four algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder). Under cold stress, the most stable genes included and (leaf), and (root), and (stem), and and (different tissues). Under salt stress, and (leaf), and (root), and (stem), and and (different tissues) were the most stable genes. Under drought stress, and in the leaf, and in the root, and in the stem, and and in different tissues were most stably expressed in okra. In addition, complete sequencing results by RefFinder showed that and in the leaf, and in the root, and in the stem, and and in different tissues, were most the suitable reference genes for okra. Furthermore, transcription factor was used to verify the reliability of RT-qPCR values. In summary, this study was carried out to demonstrate the potential reference genes of okra under abiotic stress, aiming to provide a molecular basis for functional gene analysis and regulatory mechanism research of okra.