Plant height is an important agronomic trait in maize since it can significantly affect planting density and lodging resistance and it is highly correlated with grain yield. Plant height of maize largely results from stem elongation driven by cell division and cell expansion within the internodes. Therefore, reduction of plant height can be achieved by appropriate control of cell elongation. The microtubule cytoskeleton plays essential roles in cellular organization, cell division and guiding plant cell polar growth, which is dependent on its organization and dynamics regulated by a suit of diverse microtubule‐associated proteins (MAPs). In this study, we identified a novel MAP, Reducing Plant Height 1 (ZmRPH1), in maize. We found that ZmRPH1 bound to microtubules in vitro and in vivo and ZmRPH1 overexpression significantly led to randomly oriented cortical microtubules and considerably reduced the cell elongation in maize mesocotyl cells as well as in Arabidopsis hypocotyl cells. More importantly, we demonstrated that ZmRPH1 overexpression in maize effectively reduced plant and ear heights by repressing internode elongation, with no apparent effect on grain yield. Our work identified a valuable plant‐height gene ZmRPH1 that will be useful for molecular breeding to improve plant height and lodging resistant traits in maize. This study also indicated that manipulation of cortical microtubule arrays could be a practical and efficient new strategy to optimize plant height, and will greatly benefit future maize breeding for increasing planting density.

A MYB family transcription factor ZmMYB69 is a transcriptional activator at the upper level of ZmMYB31 and ZmMYB42 in the hierarchical network that controls lignin biosynthesis in maize.

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key defense hormone shaped by temperature. High temperatures suppress, while low temperatures enhance, SA biosynthesis and signaling, thereby influencing plant immunity and temperature resilience. This review synthesizes current understanding of how temperature modulates SA pathways and their cross-talk with other hormones to balance growth and defense. We also propose a conceptual model positioning SA as a central integrator of temperature perception, immune regulation, and hormonal signaling. However, key questions remain: How do plants sense temperature shifts to regulate SA dynamics? How do temperature-induced epigenetic changes in SA pathways contribute to long-term adaptation? And how can these insights inform crop improvement? Addressing these gaps is essential for developing climate-resilient crops.