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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
06:41
Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes
Published on: March 28, 2025
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Transcriptomic and physiological effects of superabsorbent polymer seed coating on maize under drought stress
Akram Abdolmaleki1,2, Hendrik Bertram1,2, Peter Dapprich1
1Faculty of Agriculture, South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Soest, Germany.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|February 23, 2026
Summary
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) can aid maize germination under drought, but efficacy varies. MERCK SAP improved seedling growth, while SWT showed phytotoxicity, highlighting the need for careful selection and molecular marker analysis for stress resilience.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Drought stress critically impacts maize germination and seedling development, threatening global food security.
- Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are investigated as seed coatings to enhance water availability for maize during germination.
- Comparative efficacy and molecular mechanisms of different SAPs for drought stress mitigation in maize require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of three distinct SAPs (MERCK, SWT, ABG) on maize germination and seedling growth under drought stress.
- To investigate the physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic responses to SAP treatments.
- To identify potential molecular biomarkers for stress assessment and breeding in maize.
Main Methods:
- Controlled drought experiments using three different SAPs (MERCK, SWT, ABG) applied as seed coatings.
- Physiological assessments including germination rate and sodium (Na+) content.
- Biochemical analysis of total phenol content.
- Transcriptomic analysis using mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq).
Main Results:
- MERCK SAP significantly improved maize germination and seedling development, yielding the highest proportion of normal seedlings.
- SWT SAP exhibited phytotoxic effects, increasing abnormal seedlings, while ABG's effects were less pronounced.
- All SAP treatments led to increased seedling sodium (Na+) content, suggesting ionic stress.
- Transcriptomic analysis identified key genes involved in stress response, SAP-specific responses, and salt/drought tolerance.
Conclusions:
- The efficacy of SAPs in mitigating drought stress in maize is formulation-dependent, with MERCK showing promise and SWT demonstrating potential phytotoxicity.
- Identified differentially expressed genes provide mechanistic insights into physiological responses and serve as potential biomarkers for breeding stress-resilient maize cultivars.
- This study offers a multi-level assessment of SAPs, guiding future applications in seed coatings and maize breeding programs for enhanced drought tolerance.
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