Boron homeostasis functions in meristem maintenance in maize by regulating knotted1, cell cycle, and hormone signaling pathways

Here we report, that levels of the micronutrient boron are instrumental for meristem maintenance by integration into specific meristem maintenance pathways. We used RNA-seq analysis of the boron deficient maize mutant tassel-less1 to identify early molecular defects induced by boron deficiency in maize reproductive (tassel) meristems. RNA-seq results were independently verified through downstream in silico, double mutant, microscopy, proteomic, and molecular analyses. 1 mm tassel meristems prior morphologic defects of the maize tassel-less1 (tls1) mutant and B73 (three replicates each)