Comparative transcriptome profiling uncover the key genes associated with early-stage resistance to Aspergillus flavus in maize

Well-developed maize ears of AF99 and AF32 were selected at 15 d after pollination and kernels in the middle of ears were collected for further study. Each kernel was cut longitudinally with a sterile scalpel and divided into two equal parts; half of the kernels were immersed in a spore suspension for 5 min, and the other half were immersed in sterile water for 5 min, recorded as 0 h. At least four kernel halves were collected as one sample at 0, 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 6 h (named T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively)