biostudies-literatureUnknown45(2)Gao BMaize, a primary global food crop, is crucial for food security. In recent years, climatic and other abiotic stresses have led to frequent global droughts. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) plays a vital role in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Under drought stress, APX effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by plants and maintains the normal growth and development of organisms. This study successfully amplified APX-related genes, and the <i>ZmAPX2</i> gene was screened using expression analysis. pCAMBIA3301-ZmAPX2-Bar and pCXB053-ZmAPX2-Bar plant expression vectors were constructed and transformed into the maize inbred line H120. Drought tolerance of plants was analyzed by phenotypic characteristics, physiological and biochemical indices in T<sub>2</sub> generation positiveMolecular breeding : new strategies in plant improvement27https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11829862biostudies-literatureThe overexpression of <i>ascorbate peroxidase</i> 2 (<i>APX2</i>) gene improves drought tolerance in maize.PMC11829862Gao BQu JGuan SMa YLiu SWang YMiao MZhao YfalseThe overexpression of <i>ascorbate peroxidase</i> 2 (<i>APX2</i>) gene improves drought tolerance in maize.Maize, a primary global food crop, is crucial for food security. In recent years, climatic and other abiotic stresses have led to frequent global droughts. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) plays a vital role in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Under drought stress, APX effectively scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by plants and maintains the normal growth and development of organisms. This study successfully amplified APX-related genes, and the <i>ZmAPX2</i> gene was screened using expression analysis. pCAMBIA3301-ZmAPX2-Bar and pCXB053-ZmAPX2-Bar plant expression vectors were constructed and transformed into the maize inbred line H120. Drought tolerance of plants was analyzed by phenotypic characteristics, physiological and biochemical indices in T<sub>2</sub> generation positive2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2026-07-15T21:33:39.353Z2026-07-09T10:13:28.289ZS-EPMC118298623996337610.1007/s11032-025-01548-2