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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
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Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes
Published on: March 28, 2025
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Integrative cross-study analysis of maize microarray datasets identifies key abiotic stress-responsive genes,
Elnaz Zamani1, Hooman Razi1, David Hildebrand2
1Department of Plant Production and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Scientific Reports
|April 13, 2026
Summary
Key maize genes ZmANAH and ZmOSM34 respond to abiotic stress. These genes are crucial for maize stress tolerance and offer potential for improving crop resilience through genetic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Maize (Zea mays L.) productivity is significantly impacted by biotic and abiotic stresses globally.
- Identifying genes involved in stress response is crucial for enhancing crop resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key abiotic stress-responsive genes in maize using integrative cross-study analysis.
- To investigate the roles of ZmANAH and ZmOSM34 in maize stress tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Integrative cross-study analysis of public maize microarray datasets.
- Gene Ontology and KEGG enrichment analyses.
- Promoter analysis and UpSet plot analysis.
- Gene expression analysis under lead (Pb) and sodium chloride (NaCl) stress in contrasting maize genotypes.
Main Results:
- Identified 57 key abiotic stress-responsive genes associated with metabolic and stress-response pathways.
- ZmANAH and ZmOSM34 were identified as responsive to both abiotic and biotic stresses.
- ZmOSM34 showed consistently higher expression in salt-tolerant maize under stress, while ZmANAH exhibited high variability.
Conclusions:
- ZmANAH and ZmOSM34 play critical roles in maize stress tolerance, particularly to salt stress.
- These genes represent valuable targets for genetic improvement and breeding strategies to enhance maize resilience to environmental stresses.
