Dynamic Molecular Regulation of Salt Stress Responses in Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings

Penghao Wu ^1* Atikaimu Maimaiti ¹ Wei Gu ² Diansi Yu ² Yuan Guan ² Jingtao Qu ² Tao Qin ² Hui Wang ² Jiaojiao Ren ¹ Hongjian Zheng ²

• ¹ Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, China
• ² Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetics and Breeding, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China, shanghai, China

Maize ranks among the most essential crops globally, yet its growth and yield are significantly hindered by salt stress, posing challenges to agricultural productivity. To utilize saline-alkali soils more effectively and enrich maize germplasm resources, identifying salt-tolerant genes in maize is essential. In this study, we used a salttolerant maize inbred line SPL02, and a salt-sensitive maize inbred line Mo17. Both were treated with 180 mmol/L sodium chloride (NaCl) for 0, 3, 6, and 9 days at the three-leaf growth stage (V3). Through comprehensive morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses, we assessed salt stress effects and identified hub genes and pathways associated with salt tolerance. Our analysis identified 25,383 expressed genes, with substantial differences in gene expression patterns across the salt treatment stages. We found 8,971 differentially expressed genes (DEGs): 7,111 unique to SPL02 and 4,791 unique to Mo17, indicating dynamic gene expression changes under salt stress. In SPL02, the DEGs primarily associated with MAPK signaling pathway, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and hormone signaling under salt treatment conditions. In Mo17, salt stress responses are primarily mediated through the abscisic acid-activated signaling pathway, and hormone response. Additionally, our weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) pinpointed five hub genes that likely play central roles in mediating salt tolerance. These genes are associated with functions including phosphate import ATP-binding protein, glycosyl transferase, and WRKY transcription factors. This study offers valuable insights into the complex regulatory networks governing the maize response to salt stress and identifies hub genes and pathways for further investigation. These findings contribute valuable knowledge for enhancing agricultural resilience and sustainability in saline-affected environments.