High temperature around flowering has a serious impact on the growth and development of maize. However, few maize genes related to flowering under heat stress have been confirmed, and the regulatory mechanism is unclear. To reveal the molecular mechanism of heat tolerance in maize, two maize hybrids, ZD309 and XY335, with different heat resistance, were selected to perform transcriptome and metabolomics analysis at the flowering stage under heat stress. In ZD309, 314 up-regulated and 463 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, while 168 up-regulated and 119 down-regulated DEGs were identified in XY335. By comparing the differential gene expression patterns of ZD309 and XY335, we found the “frontloaded” genes which were less up-regulated in heat-tolerant maize during high temperature stress. They included heat tolerance genes, which may react faster at the protein level to provide resilience to instantaneous heat stress. A total of 1062 metabolites were identified via metabolomics analysis. Lipids, saccharides, and flavonoids were found to be differentially expressed under heat stress, indicating these metabolites’ response to high temperature. Our study will contribute to the identification of heat tolerance genes in maize, therefore contributing to the breeding of heat-tolerant maize varieties.

Lipoxygenases (LOX) play pivotal roles in plant resistance to stresses. However, no study has been conducted on LOX gene identification at the whole genome scale in rose (Rosa chinensis). In this study, a total of 17 RcLOX members were identified in the rose genome. The members could be classified into three groups: 9-LOX, Type I 13-LOX, and Type II 13-LOX. Similar gene structures and protein domains can be found in RcLOX members. The RcLOX genes were spread among all seven chromosomes, with unbalanced distributions, and several tandem and proximal duplication events were found among RcLOX members. Expressions of the RcLOX genes were tissue-specific, while every RcLOX gene could be detected in at least one tissue. The expression levels of most RcLOX genes could be up-regulated by aphid infestation, suggesting potential roles in aphid resistance. Our study offers a systematic analysis of the RcLOX genes in rose, providing useful information not only for further gene cloning and functional exploration but also for the study of aphid resistance.

Light is a vital environmental cue that profoundly influences the development of plants. LED lighting offers significant advantages in controlled growth environments over fluorescent lighting. Under monochromatic blue LED light, wheat plants exhibited reduced stature, accelerated spike development, and a shortened flowering period with increased blue light intensity promoting an earlier heading date. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat plants’ response to varying light conditions. We identified 34 types of transcription factors (TFs) and highlighted the dynamic changes of key families such as WRKY, AP2/ERF, MYB, bHLH, and NAC, which play crucial roles in light-induced gene regulation. Additionally, this study revealed differential effects of blue and red light on the expression levels of genes related to hormones such as cytokinin (CK) and salicylic acid (SA) synthesis as well as significant changes in pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis, circadian rhythms, chlorophyll synthesis, and flowering. Particularly, blue light upregulated genes involved in chlorophyll synthesis, contrasting with the downregulation observed under red light. Furthermore, blue light enhanced the expression of anthocyanin synthesis-related genes, such as CHS, underscoring its role in promoting anthocyanin accumulation. These findings provide valuable insights into how light quality impacts crop growth and development.

Background: High temperatures during the early generative stage significantly threaten maize productivity, yet the molecular basis of heat tolerance remains unclear. Methods: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance in maize, two hybrids—ZD309 (heat-tolerant) and XY335 (heat-sensitive)—were selected for integrated transcriptomic and physiological analyses. The plants were subjected to high-temperature treatments (3–5 °C above ambient field temperature) for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, with controls grown under natural conditions. Physiological indices, including Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and proline (PRO), malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugar, and protein content, were measured. Results: Transcriptome analysis identified 1595 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in XY335 (509 up- and 1086 down-regulated) and 1526 DEGs in ZD309 (863 up- and 663 down-regulated), with the most pronounced changes occurring on day 5. Key DEGs in XY335 were enriched in galactose metabolism and carbohydrate catabolism, whereas ZD309 exhibited rapid activation of oxidative stress and cell wall integrity pathways. Mfuzz time-series analysis categorized DEGs from XY335 and ZD309 into six clusters each. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified 10 hub genes involved in ubiquitin thioesterase activity and RNA modification, suggesting protein-level regulatory roles. Conclusions: This study reveals distinct transcriptional dynamics between heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive varieties, providing candidate genes for breeding thermotolerant maize and advancing our understanding of heat stress responses during critical reproductive stages.