Effect of Ethephon on Sensitivity Difference of Lodging Resistance in Different Maize Inbred Lines

Effect of Ethephon on Sensitivity Difference of Lodging Resistance in Different Maize Inbred Lines

Lodging imposes substantial constraints on maize yield potential and agronomic efficiency, critically undermining productivity and resource optimization in cultivation systems. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism whereby ethephon enhances lodging resistance and analyze the sensitivity differ...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Siyao Liu, Feng Guo, Mengzhu Chai, Shiwei Gu, Dacheng Wang, Zihao Wang, Yidan Chen, Tenglong Xie, Deguang Yang, Qian Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
maize
inbred lines
ethephon
lodging resistance
internode characteristic
lignin
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/5/1248
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Summary:Lodging imposes substantial constraints on maize yield potential and agronomic efficiency, critically undermining productivity and resource optimization in cultivation systems. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism whereby ethephon enhances lodging resistance and analyze the sensitivity differences to ethephon among distinct maize inbred lines. Through exogenous application of ethephon (200 and 400 mg/L, S1 and S2 treatments) to four classic maize inbred lines (Zheng58, Chang7-2, PH6WC, and PH4CV), we systematically evaluated its effects on plant morphology, stalk biomechanical properties, and lignin biosynthesis. Results demonstrated that ethephon optimized plant morphology through reductions in plant height, ear height, leaf area, leaf angle, and internode length. Significant augmentations in stalk bending resistance (a maximum increase of 52.61% in PH4CV) and puncture strength (most pronounced in Zheng58) were mechanistically associated with increased lignin content and enhanced activity of key biosynthetic enzymes [cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL)], with PH6WC exhibiting the most robust enzymatic response. These findings underscored genotype-specific regulatory effects of ethephon, bridging the knowledge gap regarding its molecular–physiological interplay with maize genotypes. The study provides critical insights for precision breeding and optimization strategies employing plant growth regulators to improve maize lodging resistance.
ISSN:2073-4395

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