Comparative transcriptomic analysis of contrasting hybrid cultivars reveal key drought-responsive genes and metabolic pathways regulating drought stress tolerance in maize at various stages.

ABSTRACT: Drought stress is the primary environmental factor that negatively influences plant growth and yield in cereal grain crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). Crop breeding efforts for enhanced drought resistance require improved knowledge of plant drought stress responses. In this study, we applied a 12-day water-deficit stress treatment to maize plants of two contrasting (drought tolerant ND476 and drought sensitive ZX978) hybrid cultivars at four (V12, VT, R1, and R4) crop growth stages and we report key cultivar-specific and growth-stage-specific molecular mechanisms regulating drought stress responses in maize. Based on the transcriptome analysis, a total of 3451 and 4088 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in ND476 and ZX978 from the four experimental comparisons, respecti

SUBMITTER: Liu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7561095 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature