Genotype-specific responses of maize plants to <i>Funneliformis mosseae</i> under drought stress: phenomic and transcriptomic insights.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Drought is a major abiotic constraint limiting maize productivity, yet the genotype-specific mechanisms through which arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance drought resilience remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate how AMF modulate drought tolerance, root plasticity, and heterosis in maize genotypes with contrasting drought sensitivity.

Methods

Two maize inbred lines differing in drought tolerance (K1, tolerant; K2, sensitive) and their hybrid (KH) were grown under controlled pot conditions at either well-watered (60% soil moisture) or drought-stressed (30% soil moisture) levels, with or without inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae (BEG12). Integrated phenomic, biomass, and transcriptomic analyses were performed to characterize geno

SUBMITTER: Virag E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12816378 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature