High temperature defense pathways mediate lodicule expansion and spikelet opening in maize tassels

High temperature (HT) at flowering hinders pollen shedding, but the mechanisms underlying stress-induced spikelet closure are poorly understood in maize. In this study, yield components, spikelet opening, and lodicule morphology/protein profiling upon HT stress during flowering were examined in two contrasting maize inbred lines, Chang 7-2 and Qi 319. HT induced spikelet closure and reduced pollen shed weight (PSW) and seed set in both lines, but Qi 319 had a 7-fold lower PSW than Chang 7-2, and was thus more susceptible to HT. In Qi 319, a smaller lodicule size reduced the spikelet opening rate and angle, and relatively more vascular bundles hastened lodicule shrinking compared with Chang 7-2. Lodicules were collected for proteomics analysis. In lodicules of HT-stressed plants, proteins involved in stress signals, cell wall, cell constructure, carbohydrate metabolism, and phytohormone signaling were associated with stress tolerance. HT down-regulated the expression of ADP-ribosylation factor GTPase-activating protein domain2, SNAP receptor complex member11, and sterol methyltransferase2 in Qi 319 but not in Chang 7-2, which was in good agreement with the observed changes in protein abundance. Exogenous epibrassinolide increased the spikelet opening angle and extended the duration of spikelet opening. These results suggest that dysfunction of the actin cytoskeleton and membrane remodeling induced by HT probably limits lodicule expansion. In addition, a reduction in the vascular bundles in the lodicules and application of epibrassinolide might confer spikelet tolerance to HT stress.