Transcriptome analysis reveals the role of jasmonate in regulating maize spikelet opening and seed set under high temperature stress

Our results indicate that under heat stress conditions, JA markedly enhances the seed-setting rate, spikelet opening rate, and spikelet opening angle in both Y7 and Y8. Moreover, JA effectively alleviates oxidative stress induced by heat stress in maize. KEGG analysis identified phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism as potential contributors to JA-mediated heat stress resistance in maize. Finally, Venn analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified three transcription factors (TFs) involved in JA-mediated heat stress resistance in maize: MYBS3 and WRKY33, which play positive roles, and HOX22, which plays a negative role. Our findings collectively elucidate a fundamental regulatory network mediated by JA that enhances maize yield under heat stress conditions, offering viable gene targets for the genetic enhancement of maize yield in such environments.