Cold Stress Response Mechanisms in Maize Systems

Maize (Zea mays) is inherently sensitive to low-temperature stress, which can impair germination, seedling growth, photosynthesis and ultimately yield. Exposure to chilling (0–15 °C) triggers a complex network of responses at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. Early responses include alterations in membrane fluidity and electrochemical gradients, leading to ion leakage and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidant systems—both enzymatic and non-enzymatic—are activated to mitigate oxidative damage, while osmoprotectants stabilise cellular structures. Hormonal signalling, particularly via abscisic acid and ethylene, modulates stomatal conductance and gene expression under chilling. Transcriptional reprogramming involves induction of cold-responsive factors, kinases in MAPK cascades and calcium-dependent protein kinases, which orchestrate downstream stress-tolerance mechanisms. Cold acclimation primes protective pathways through chromatin remodelling and epigenetic modifications, enhancing tolerance upon subsequent exposure. Genetic studies have revealed quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes associated with cold tolerance, enabling marker-assisted selection and genome editing into elite germplasm. Integration of physiological traits with high-throughput phenotyping and genomics is paving the way for climate-resilient maize varieties capable of early sowing in temperate regions, thereby sustaining global maize productivity under fluctuating temperatures.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have harnessed genome-wide association analysis to uncover loci and candidate genes that govern maize response to chilling during germination. Employing a diverse panel of inbred lines assessed under normal and low-temperature regimes, researchers identified multiple SNPs linked to germination rate, days to emergence and seedling vigour. These loci co-locate with genes implicated in mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction and lipid metabolism, suggesting roles in signal perception and membrane stabilisation. Integration of association mapping with previous quantitative trait analysis has facilitated the identification of robust genomic regions for breeding. The discovery of novel candidate genes and linked markers offers a foundation for marker-assisted introgression of cold-tolerance alleles into elite cultivars.

Cold Stress Response Mechanisms in Maize Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cold stress response mechanisms in maize systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cold acclimation: A process by which prior exposure to non-lethal low temperatures enhances plant tolerance to subsequent chilling stress.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that accumulate under stress and can damage proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

Quantitative trait locus (QTL): A genomic region that contributes to variation in a quantitative trait, such as cold-tolerance, identified through genetic mapping.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS): An analytical approach that scans the entire genome to associate genetic variants with phenotypic traits across a diverse population.

Membrane fluidity: The physical state of lipid bilayers that influences cellular function and permeability, which is altered by low temperatures.

References

1. Chilling and Drought Stresses in Crop Plants: Implications, Cross Talk, and Potential Management Opportunities. Frontiers in Plant Science (2018).
2. Thermal Stresses in Maize: Effects and Management Strategies. Plants (2021).
3. Cold Nights Impair Leaf Growth and Cell Cycle Progression in Maize through Transcriptional Changes of Cell Cycle Genes. Plant Physiology (2007).
4. Identification of candidate tolerance genes to low-temperature during maize germination by GWAS and RNA-seq approaches. BMC Plant Biology (2020).
5. QTL Mapping of Low-Temperature Germination Ability in the Maize IBM Syn4 RIL Population. PLOS ONE (2016).
6. Genome-wide association study Identified multiple Genetic Loci on Chilling Resistance During Germination in Maize. Scientific Reports (2017).