Transcriptomic analysis reveals the regulation of early ear-length development in maize

Abstract Ear length is an important component of maize grain yield. However, the ear a complex quantitative trait, and underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) 1283 displayed longer compared with recipient parent Xu178. An RNA sequencing analysis Xu178 CSSL1283 ears during three undifferentiated developmental stages identified 1,991 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A gene ontology DEGs showed that related to transcription factors response abiotic stimulus were significantly enriched. Furthermore, expression associated AP2/EREBP WRKY heat shock proteins was upregulated in CSSL1283. In addition, several encoding protein kinase between Our study provided genetic resource for dissection ear-length development uncovering candidate increase length.