An updated gene atlas for maize reveals organ-specific and stress-induced genes

Maize(Zea mays L.), a model species for genetic studies, is one of the two most important crop species worldwide.The genome sequence of the reference genotype, B73, representative of the stiff stalk heterotic group was recently updated (AGPv4) using long‐read sequencing and optical mapping technology. To facilitate the use of AGPv4 and to enable functional genomic studies and association of genotype with phenotype, we determined expression abundances for replicated mRNA‐sequencing datasets from 79 tissues and five abiotic/biotic stress treatments revealing 36,207 expressed genes. Characterization of the B73 transcriptome across six organs revealed 4,154 organ‐specific and 7,704 differentially expressed genes following stress treatment. Gene co‐expression network analyses revealed 12 modules associated with distinct biological processes containing 13,590 genes providing a resource for further association of gene function based on co‐expression patterns. Presence/absence variants (PAVs) p...