Transcriptomics Reveals Cold Tolerance Maize Lines Involved in the Phenylpropanoid and Flavonoid Pathways.

ABSTRACT: Low temperature during early spring severely impairs maize germination, leading to significant yield losses. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying cold tolerance at the germination stage, we compared two cold-tolerant maize inbred lines (AM and CM) with a cold-sensitive line (BM) under control (25 °C) and chilling (6 °C) conditions. Phenotypic observations showed that AM and CM maintained high germination rates and exhibited enhanced coleoptile elongation under cold stress, whereas BM displayed substantial growth inhibition. Cold-tolerant lines accumulated less malondialdehyde and showed markedly higher SOD and POD activities, indicating a stronger antioxidant defense. Transcriptome profiling revealed that cold tolerance is associated with a more robust transcriptional response in AM and

SUBMITTER: Zhou S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12787554 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature