Genome-Wide Analysis of the Maize LBD Gene Family Reveals a Role for ZmLBD12 in the Development of Lateral Roots

The growth and yield of the aboveground parts of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) are closely associated with development of the root system. LBD (Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain) transcription factors are crucial for the regulation of lateral organ development in plants. However, to date, little information has been uncovered about the LBD gene family in maize. In this research, a genome-wide identification revealed 45 LBD gene members in maize. The subsequent phylogeny, structure, and profiles of expression were analyzed. These genes were found to be dispersed across all 10 maize chromosomes and expressed in diverse tissues, including the roots, leaves, stems, pericarp, and vegetative meristems. Notably, <i>ZmLBD12</i> exhibited specific expression in roots. Subsequent over-expression of <i>ZmLBD12</i> in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> demonstrated its role in lateral root development, identifying it as a candidate gene for further investigation of root development in maize. Our findings provide a systematic analysis of ZmLBD genes and highlight <i>ZmLBD12</i> as a potential target gene for developing high-yielding, lodging-resistant maize varieties.