Pan-Genome Analysis of ZmJAZ Genes in Maize (Zea mays) Under Drought Stress Conditions

Drought stress is one of the most significant abiotic factors limiting maize (Zea mays L.) produc-tivity. Despite the importance of maize as a staple crop, the molecular mechanisms underlying its response to drought stress remain poorly understood. Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a critical role in regulating plant growth and stress responses, and the jasmonate zim-domain (JAZ) proteins act as key transcriptional repressors in JA signaling pathways.