Fig. 7

Comparison of the expression levels of miRNA target genes between male and female individuals through qRT-PCR. a The expression level of EIF-2 (UN00815), ARF6 (UN12573) and AP2 (UN21982), targeted by aof-miR159, aof-miR167 and aof-miR172 family, respectively, in male and female plants. *or **indicates a statistically significant difference between male and female plants at P < 0.05 or 0.01, respectively. b The expression level of target genes in 0.5 mm and 4 mm female and male flower buds. F-0.5 and F-4 represent 0.5 mm and 4 mm female flower respectively; M-0.5 and M-4 represent 0.5 mm and 4 mm male flower, respectively. *or **indicates a statistically significant difference between male and female flowers at the same stage at P < 0.05 or 0.01, respectively