Superabsorbent Polymer Seed Coatings: Transcriptomic and Physiological Impacts on Drought-Stressed Maize

This project investigates the potential of Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs) as seed coatings to enhance drought resilience in maize (Zea mays L.), a crucial cereal crop vulnerable to water deficit. By applying three different types of SAPs—two fossil-based (MERCK, SWT) and one natural-based (ABG)—we assessed their impact on seed germination and seedling establishment under both well-watered and drought conditions and investigated their transcriptomic profiles.The data provided here include raw gene counts from featureCounts and the experimental design for the study.Quality control of reads was conducted using fastp, and alignment was performed using the Zea mays reference genome with STAR, employing default parameters.