Advances in deciphering the mechanisms of salt tolerance in Maize

Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) is a vital crop worldwide, serving as a cornerstone for food security, livestock feed, and biofuel production. However, its cultivation is increasingly jeopardized by environmental challenges, notably soil salinization, which severely constrains growth, yield, and quality. To combat salinity stress, maize employs an array of adaptive mechanisms, including enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and modulated plant hormone levels, which work synergistically to maintain reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance and ion homeostasis. This review explores the intricate interactions among ROS, antioxidant systems, plant hormones, and ion regulation in maize under salt stress, providing a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and molecular basis of its tolerance. By elucidating these mechanisms, this study contributes to the development of salt-tolerant maize varieties and informs innovative strategies to sustain agricultural productivity under adverse environmental conditions, offering significant theoretical insights into plant stress biology and practical solutions for achieving sustainable agriculture amidst global climate challenges.

玉米（Zea mays L.）是全球至关重要的作物，作为粮食安全、畜禽饲料与生物燃料生产的核心支柱。然而其种植正日益受到各类环境挑战的威胁，尤以土壤盐渍化最为突出，该胁迫会严重制约玉米的生长、产量与品质。为抵御盐胁迫，玉米会启动一系列适应性调控机制，包括增强抗氧化酶活性、调控植物激素水平，这些机制协同作用以维持活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）平衡与离子稳态。本综述探讨了盐胁迫下玉米体内活性氧、抗氧化系统、植物激素与离子调控之间的复杂互作关系，全面解析了其耐盐性的生理与分子基础。通过阐明上述调控机制，本研究可为耐盐玉米品种的培育提供支撑，并为逆境环境下维持农业生产力提供创新策略，同时为植物胁迫生物学领域提供重要的理论见解，也为全球气候挑战下实现可持续农业提供切实可行的解决方案。