Integrative Physiology, Transcriptome, and Metabolome Analysis Reveals Pathways and the Key Gene ZmARF27 Involved in Vigor Loss during Artificial Aging of Maize Seeds

Seed deterioration during storage poses significant challenges to agriculture, forestry, and germplasm conservation, primarily through a reduced germination potential. Maintaining the seed aging tolerance is essential for high-yield crop production. While physiological and molecular processes underpinning maize seed aging remain poorly understood, they are critical for developing improved maize varieties. This study investigated the aging mechanisms in two maize inbred lines with contrasting seed vigor (Dong 156 and Dong 237) through phenotype evaluation, physiological indices, and multiomics analyses. Artificial aging induced notable differences in phenotypic, physiological, and cellular responses among the lines. Transcriptomic analysis identified 4892 DEGs consistently expressed at three germination stages, enriched in glycolysis, starch and sucrose metabolism, antioxidant responses, and plant hormone signaling. Metabolomic profiling revealed 233 metabolites with significant enrichment in the TCA cycle, plant hormone signaling, and amino sugar/nucleotide sugar metabolism. Combined analyses pinpointed 1112 DEGs and 56 DEMs in 36 metabolic pathways. WGCNA identified 11 hub genes, including ZmARF27, as key regulators of aging tolerance. Mutants deficient in ZmARF27 exhibited significantly reduced germination indicators under aging stress, confirming its positive role in aging resistance.