Single-cell expression data from maize blade-sheath boundary for leaf angle variations

Leaf angle is a key architectural trait in plants that significantly influences maize planting density. Plant architecture refers to the three-dimensional plant body. In maize, the blade-sheath boundary plays a major role in determining leaf angle. The formation of the blade-sheath boundary is especially important in shaping leaf angle, as this structure marks the transition between the proximal leaf sheath and the distal leaf blade. Understanding the genetic regulation of blade-sheath boundary development can provide insights into the precise control of their size and shape. We performed two replicates of scRNA-Seq on protoplasts from blade/sheath boundary of lower canopy and upper canopy maize leaves using the 10X Genomics platform. Cells were collected from three inbred lines exhibiting different leaf angle patterns across the canopy, allowing us to better understand the genetic mechanisms underlying blade-sheath boundary development and its impact on leaf angle variation.