Proteome changes in response to water deficit in developing maize ovules

This project aims to identify changes in the proteome of maize ovules that precede their abortion in response to water deficit. To take into account variations along development, the proteome was analyzed in ovules collected at different positions along the ear at two stages of ear development. Plants were grown in a greenhouse and watered up to tassel emergence. Irrigation was then stopped for half the plants until they reached a water potential of ca. -0.4 to -0.6 MPa. All plants were then transferred to a growth chamber, where water deficit or well watered conditions were maintained. Ovule samples were collected at two stages: at the emergence of silks and 5 days after silk emergence. At each stage, ovules were collected from five zones of the ear (numbered 1 to 5 from bottom to top, ie. from the oldest to the youngest ovules). Three biological replicates were taken for each treatment*day*zone combination.