Fig. 10

The use of VIGS to confirm the function of two miRNAs (miR1120c and miR9664) which were altered in abundance in response to abiotic stress. a-c miR1120c, d-f miR9664. a, d The abundance of the miRNA in VIGS transformed wheat seedlings as assessed using qRT-PCR. The VIGS γ vector (marked “γ”) was used as a vector control and the pri-miRNAs were recombined within the γ vector to achieve their over-expression. The recombined miRNA-γ plasmids were used as a positive control, and the absence of any template as a negative one. b, e The phenotype of wheat seedlings over-expressing miR1120c or miR9664 in the presence of either salinity or alkalinity stress. c, f The fresh weight of the seedlings illustrated in (b) and (e), respectively. The values shown represent the mean of ten seedlings per line, and are given in the form mean ± s.d. (n = 3). *, **: means differed significantly at, respectively, P < 0.05 and < 0.01, as determined by the Student’s t-test