Genotype-dependent response to water deficit: increases in maize cell wall digestibility occurs through reducing both p-coumaric acid and lignification of the rind
Overall, we observed greater concentrations of <i>p</i>-coumaric acid under control conditions, with significant decreases in stressed conditions at each location. Histologically, we found an increase in non-lignified tissues under water deficit conditions across all tissues at each location as well. In terms of <i>in vitro</i> cell wall digestibility (IVCWRD), significant increases were detected in response to water deficit. Additionally, genotype-dependent response patterns were evident, revealing two distinct behavioural groups. Notably, in plastic genotypes, increases in IVCWRD in response to water deficit were concomitant to reductions in p-coumaric acid content and a decrease in red-stained lignified tissues in the rind. This study emphasizes the complex, genotype-dependent responses to water deficit, underscoring the important roles of plasticity and stability in shaping the impact on maize cell wall digestibility; paving the way to breed for adapted genotypes to face climate changes.
Authors
- Marie‐Pierre Jacquemot
- Valérie Mechin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3743-7225)
- Pedro Revilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4826-6073)
- Oscar Main (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2346-011X)
- Matthieu Reymond (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8803-9510)
- Rogelio Santiago (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5036-3975)
- Florence Meunier
- Ana López-Malvar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5079-7132)
- Sophie Guillaume
Institutions
- Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (FR)
- Université de Montpellier (FR)
- Institut Agro Montpellier (FR)
- Université Paris-Saclay (FR)
- Ingénierie des Agropolymères et Technologies Emergentes (FR)
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR)
- Misión Biológica de Galicia (ES)
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (FR)
- Amélioration Génétique et Adaptation des Plantes méditerranéennes et tropicales (FR)
- Institut Agro Montpelier (FR)
- Services déconcentrés d'appui à la recherche Occitanie-Montpellier (FR)
- Universidade de Vigo (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Plant Science
- Published
- 2025-05-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1571407
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.50
Funders
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche