Transcriptomic analysis of maize leaves under different irrigation treatments in field conditions

This study designed eight different irrigation levels under field conditions and conducted comprehensive transcriptome sequencing of maize ear leaf tissues. Analysis of the transcriptome data identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a clear separation trend among samples under varying water conditions. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses highlighted functional categories associated with water response, cellular metabolism, and growth regulation. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of maize under drought, optimal irrigation, and over-irrigation conditions, laying a foundation for future genetic improvement efforts.