RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR Analysis of the Formation Process from Potato Stolons to Tubers and Functional Study of StLSH10 in Tuberization

The potato tuber is a metamorphic organ formed by the expansion of the underground stolon tip. It is an economically important organ and an excellent material for studying the occurrence and development of modified plant organs. However, genetic studies have lagged due to the potato’s complex genetic background. In this study, we used stolons and tubers of the potato ‘Qingshu 9’ at different stages of the tuberization process as samples for transcriptome sequencing and systematically analyzed the transcriptome characteristics of tuberization. Through RT-qPCR analysis, 16 candidate genes related to tuberization were identified. Overexpression verification was performed on one candidate gene, StLSH10, and the results indicated that it might be involved in regulating tuberization. This research provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanism of tuberization and offers a new target to improve potato yield and quality through molecular breeding strategies.