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1. Genetic analyses of embryo homology and ontogeny in the model grass Zea mays subsp. mays

   https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.19922  

   Wu, Hao; Zhang, Ruqiang; Scanlon, Michael J (August 2024, New Phytologist)

   Summary The homology of the single cotyledon of grasses and the ontogeny of the scutellum and coleoptile as the initial, highly modified structures of the grass embryo are investigated using leaf developmental genetics and targeted transcript analyses in the model grassZea mayssubsp.mays.Transcripts of leaf developmental genes are identified in both the initiating scutellum and the coleoptile, while mutations disrupting mediolateral leaf development also disrupt scutellum and coleoptile morphology, suggesting that these grass‐specific organs are modified leaves.Higher‐order mutations inWUSCHEL‐LIKE HOMEOBOX3(WOX3) genes, involved in mediolateral patterning of plant lateral organs, inform a model for the fusion of coleoptilar margins during maize embryo development.Genetic, RNA‐targeting, and morphological evidence supports models for cotyledon evolution where the scutellum and coleoptile, respectively, comprise the distal and proximal domains of the highly modified, single grass cotyledon. 

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2. DIRT/3D: 3D root phenotyping for field-grown maize ( Zea mays )

   https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiab311  

   Liu, Suxing; Barrow, Carlos Sherard; Hanlon, Meredith; Lynch, Jonathan P.; Bucksch, Alexander (July 2021, Plant Physiology)

   Abstract The development of crops with deeper roots holds substantial promise to mitigate the consequences of climate change. Deeper roots are an essential factor to improve water uptake as a way to enhance crop resilience to drought, to increase nitrogen capture, to reduce fertilizer inputs, and to increase carbon sequestration from the atmosphere to improve soil organic fertility. A major bottleneck to achieving these improvements is high-throughput phenotyping to quantify root phenotypes of field-grown roots. We address this bottleneck with Digital Imaging of Root Traits (DIRT)/3D, an image-based 3D root phenotyping platform, which measures 18 architecture traits from mature field-grown maize (Zea mays) root crowns (RCs) excavated with the Shovelomics technique. DIRT/3D reliably computed all 18 traits, including distance between whorls and the number, angles, and diameters of nodal roots, on a test panel of 12 contrasting maize genotypes. The computed results were validated through comparison with manual measurements. Overall, we observed a coefficient of determination of r2>0.84 and a high broad-sense heritability of Hmean2> 0.6 for all but one trait. The average values of the 18 traits and a developed descriptor to characterize complete root architecture distinguished all genotypes. DIRT/3D is a step toward automated quantification of highly occluded maize RCs. Therefore, DIRT/3D supports breeders and root biologists in improving carbon sequestration and food security in the face of the adverse effects of climate change. 

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3. First Report of Southern Rust ( Puccinia polysora ) on Corn ( Zea mays ) in Michigan

   https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-21-2569-PDN  

   Check, J. C.; Aime, M. C.; Byrne, J. M.; Chilvers, M. I. (August 2022, Plant Disease)
4. Application of CRISPR /Cas9 for targeted mutagenesis in teosinte Zea mays ssp. parviglumis

   https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.14269  

   Zobrist, Jacob D; Lee, Keunsub; Wang, Kan (April 2024, Plant Biotechnology Journal)

   This paper reports results from CRISPR/Cas-mediated targeted mutagenesis in teosinte. 

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5. Complete genome sequence of Pseudomonas fulva strain MTT5 isolated from the maize ( Zea mays ) phyllosphere

   https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00543-25  

   Akhoon, Bashir A; Christensen, Katie; Lefevers, Hanna; Corbin, Kendall R (October 2025, Microbiology Resource Announcements)

   Putonti, Catherine (Ed.)

   Pseudomonas fulva MTT5, isolated from maize leaf surfaces, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. We present the complete genome sequence of P. fulva MTT5. The 4.9 Mb genome contains 4,488 predicted genes and a GC content of 61.5%. Identified biosynthetic gene clusters highlight the strain’s potential as a source of novel antibiotics. 

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