Seed biopriming with Bacillus nematocida enhances drought tolerance in maize via regulation of stress-responsive genes.

ABSTRACT: Maize (Zea mays L.), a globally important cereal, is highly vulnerable to climate-induced drought stress. This study evaluated seed biopriming with Bacillus nematocida as a strategy to enhance drought tolerance through molecular reprogramming. Maize seeds were bioprimed and subjected to drought stress under greenhouse conditions, and the expression of twelve drought-responsive genes was analyzed via RT-qPCR. Biopriming strongly upregulated stress-related genes, including PLD (60-fold), PYL1 (63-fold), SLAH1 (11-fold), and OST1 (7-fold) under combined drought + biopriming, while Peroxidase and ZmPP2CA were markedly suppressed. These transcriptional shifts indicate enhanced ABA signaling, ion homeostasis, and reduced oxidative stress load. Overall, Bacillus nematocida biopriming conferred a 

SUBMITTER: Mohamed NG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680607 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature