Transcriptional and phytohormonal regulation of positional ear development reveals yield strategies in maize

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ID: 327788
2026
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Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a vital global crop, contributing ∼37% of annual grain production. Enhancing yield per unit area is crucial for food security, yet research has primarily focused on single-ear traits, overlooking the regulation of double ears-a key determinant of prolificacy. While secondary ears drive yield variability under prolificacy-favoring conditions, the mechanisms governing ear formation across shoot positions remain poorly understood. Here, we performed high-resolution transcriptomic analysis of 66 samples from three ear types (primary, secondary and third) in maize inbred B73. We uncovered distinct hormonal developmental dynamics: strigolactone (SL) signaling genes, particularly SBP transcription factors, dominated in primary (I) ears, whereas ethylene-related genes (e.g., ZmEREB131, ZmACCO35) were enriched in third (III) ears. Functional validation confirmed that knockout of ZmEREB131 and ZmACCO35 accelerated development and elongated ears compared to wild-type, implicating ethylene (ETH) signaling in ear maturation arrest. Notably, SL inhibitor application synchronized primary and secondary ear development, boosting total yield by >20% without compromising primary ear performance. Our study elucidates the transcriptional networks underlying differential ear development and provides actionable strategies for yield improvement through targeted hormonal modulation. These findings advance the understanding of maize inflorescence biology and offer molecular tools for breeding high-yielding varieties.
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Authors Lu Li, Xiaomeng Shen, Zhaobin Ren, Ziyi Yuan, Guorui Wang, Si Shen, Yuyi Zhou, Mingcai Zhang, Shuaisong Zhang, Zhaobin Dong, Feng Qin, Jinsheng Lai, Zhaohu Li, Fei Yi, Liusheng Duan
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Journal The Plant cell
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/plcell/koag269
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koag269
Keywords Keywords not found

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