Delong Wang , Jiamin Wang , Yunchao Huang

Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 6   doi: 10.5376/mgg.2025.16.0029
Received: 12 Oct., 2025    Accepted: 27 Nov., 2025    Published: 17 Dec., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Wang D.L., Wang J.M., and Huang Y.C., 2025, Identification of QTLs associated with silk emergence time under heat stress, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 16(6): 316-324 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2025.16.0029)

The Silk Emergence Time (SET) is a critical period for the formation of corn (Zea mays L.) grains. Especially under high-temperature stress conditions, its coordination is of great significance for successful pollination and stable yield. High temperatures often lead to delayed filaments and failed pollination, seriously affecting the final yield. This study, with QTL mapping at its core, systematically analyzed the genetic and physiological mechanisms affecting the silk production period under high-temperature stress, providing theoretical support and genetic resources for the molecular breeding of heat-tolerant corn. Analyze the genetic regulatory mechanism of SET and the role of hormone signaling pathways in the heat hypochondrium response; Evaluate the effects of agronomic factors such as plant height and ASI on SET variations; Precise QTL localization is carried out by using the combined method of genomics and transcriptomics. Screen key candidate genes and conduct functional verification; Compare the differences and stability of QTLS in different thermal ecological zones through regional cases; And explore the practical application paths of QTL in heat-resistant breeding. This study reveals the genetic basis for the regulation of the silk production period of corn under high-temperature stress, providing potential targets for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS), and is conducive to the breeding of corn varieties with strong high-temperature adaptability and high yield stability.

Zea mays L.; Silk emergence time; Heat stress; Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping; Stress-resilient breeding