METHYLGLYOXAL INDUCES SIGNALLING TO PROMOTE THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF MAIZE DURING LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS

Numerous ways lead to harden plants against adverse environmental circumstances. Compounds cause oxidative stress are appropriate to develop systemic defence response, which possibly enhance the hardiness against various stresses. Maize is known as a cold-sensitive plant, especially during germination. In our study, soaking maize seeds in the reactive aldehyde methylglyoxal enhanced the germination, accelerated the growth and intensified photosynthetic performance. Transcriptome sequencing and hormonal profiling analyses confirmed the decisive role of the expression of photosystem antenna proteins, pigments, peroxidases, LEAs, ABA-related substances, the induction of the biosynthesis of certain flavonoids which are in the background of the enhanced germination and growth in the cold. The analysis of co-expression modules reported about more intense auxin response, intracellular traffickling, carbohydrate biosynthesis and regulation of cell cycle and protein biosynthesis. The key top regulators were also unravelled.