Maize Study Shows ZmASR6 Positively Regulates Salt Stress Tolerance

In maize, salt stress significantly hinders growth and yield. Abscisic acid-, stress-, and ripening-induced (ASR) proteins are known to be crucial for plant stress responses.

In a collaborative study conducted by researchers from China, Australia, and the Netherlands, ZmASR6, a salt-induced ASR gene in maize was examined. The researchers observed that ZmASR6 expression was strongly induced by salt stress within 24 hours. The ZmASR6 protein was detected in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of maize cells. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout lines lacking ZmASR6 showed decreased salt tolerance compared to wild-type plants. These mutants accumulated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde, had higher Na⁺/K⁺ ratios, and increased ionic conductivity, suggesting compromised oxidative stress tolerance. Furthermore, RNA sequencing showed that ZmASR6 knockout significantly changed the expression of important stress-related genes.

The results, published in New Crops, indicate that ZmASR6 is vital for salt tolerance in maize and represents a potential target for improving maize salt tolerance through genetic engineering.

Read more findings in New Crops.