Identification and functional prediction of lncRNAs during cassava post‐harvest physiological deterioration

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important staple food crop in Latin America and Africa. However, after harvest, the tuberous roots undergo rapid post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD), a known perishable phenomenon that usually appears within 72 h post-harvest. Post-harvest physiological deterioration largely reduces the quality and economic value of cassava tuberous roots, restricting the use of cassava as a raw material in the food industry. To analyze the regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during PPD, whole systematic screening of lncRNAs was performed. In this study, 288 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified from 2,787 high-confidence lncRNAs during PPD. cis-Acting analysis revealed 10 interested lncRNA-mRNA pairs, in which the neighboring protein-coding genes were mainly related to ethylene signaling, calcium sensors, and transcription factors. trans-Regulatory coexpression network analysis reported that lncRNAs were potentially associated with genes involved in the oxidation-reduction process. These results present a broad vision of cassava lncRNAs during PPD and provide the potential candidates for genetic engineering to alleviate deterioration of tuberous roots.