Hydroponic Culturein Sample Preparation of Tea Shoots for RNA Sequencing

Valid sampling is essential to obtain reliable transcripts of genetic information for biological studies. For RNA sequencing, the integrity, purity and concentration of total RNA as well as the cDNA libraries and transcriptome sequencingon two specimens of tea shoots sampled by using two methods were compared. One of the methods was hydroponic culture (SM1), and another, dry ice freezing (SM2). The results showed that both of them yielded RNA extractions with high integrity and purity without significant differences on the measured concentrations. They were well satisfied for the subsequent transcriptome sequencing, also capable of obtaining the equivalent cDNA libraries and RNA sequencing. However, SM1 was simpler and more convenient than SM2 in handling and operation, and particularly suitable for field sampling. Aside from being used on tea, SM1 could be applied on other crops in preparing samples for extracting RNA as well.