Genetic and Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms During Maize Plants Stress Responses

Plants are perpetually subjected to a diverse array of environmental stressors, including abiotic stressors caused by drought, salinity, extreme temperatures etc., and biotic stressors caused by pathogen incursions, which exert profound impacts on their growth, development, and reproductive fitness. To mitigate such adversities and ensure survival, plants have evolved intricate genetic and epigenetic regulatory networks that precisely orchestrate transcriptional reprogramming in response to stress stimuli. Genetic regulation encompasses heritable variations in DNA sequences and modulations of transcriptional activity, whereas epigenetic modifications, encompassing DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and non-coding RNA-mediated regulation, affording a dynamic, reversible regulatory framework for fine-tuning stress-responsive gene expression without altering the primary nucleotide sequence. Maize is one of the major crop plants, which is vulnerable to climate changes. An in-depth analysis of the mechanisms by which maize plants resist stresses, especially compound adversities, is of great importance for the genetic improvement and breeding of maize.

Elucidating the molecular underpinnings of these regulatory mechanisms is pivotal for advancing our understanding of maize plant stress resilience and adaptive evolution. Recent advancements in high-throughput genomics, epigenomics, and precision gene-editing technologies have enabled researchers to systematically identify critical regulatory elements and manipulate their functions to enhance stress tolerance in crop species. Looking forward, the integrative analysis of genetic and epigenetic datasets presents promising prospects for the rational design of stress-resilient plant varieties, thereby contributing to the sustainability of global food systems amid escalating climate variability and burgeoning population demands. Sustained investigation into these regulatory networks holds significant potential for facilitating the development of sustainable agricultural practices and promoting ecological conservation.

In this Research Topic, we welcome all article types published by Frontiers in Plant Science that dissecting the regulatory mechanisms underlying plant stress responses, with a particular focus on maize, in the following areas:

• Interactive mechanisms between genetic and epigenetic regulation in maize plant stress responses
• Establishment, maintenance, and transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic stress memory
• Molecular functions of non-coding RNAs in stress regulatory networks
• Precision improvement strategies for crop stress tolerance based on genetic and epigenetic information, integrating genomic editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) and epigenetic editing tools (e.g., dCas9-mediated methylation modification)

-------
We welcome contributions from researchers across the field and are happy to support you as you prepare your submission. If you would like initial feedback on whether your planned manuscript aligns with the scope of this Research Topic, please reach out to us at plantscience@frontiersin.org before submitting. Early input can help ensure your work is a strong fit and save you time later in the process.

If you would like to join us, simply click “Participate in this topic” at the top right of this page. This lets us know you plan to contribute, ensures you never miss key deadlines, and gives you access to helpful resources to guide you through the submission process. We very much look forward to your participation and to building a vibrant and cohesive Research Topic together.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Maize, Stress Responses, Genetic Regulation, Epigenetic Regulation, Crop Improvement

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.