MECHANISM OF DROUGHT STRESS TOLERANCE IN MAIZE

Abstract

Drought stress greatly threatens agricultural productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Maize is a key crop globally, and understanding its mechanisms of drought stress tolerance is of utmost importance for sustainable food production. This paper reviews the literature on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms governing maize's response to water scarcity. Further, epigenetic plasticity, transcription regulation, metabolic reprogramming, and gene expression are discussed in detail as adaptive strategies. Additionally, conventional techniques, such as cross-breeding and mutation breeding, as well as biotechnological approaches, like QTL mapping, molecular marker-assisted breeding, transgenic approach, and CRISPR-Cas9, are reviewed as strategies to enhance maize's drought tolerance. This paper concludes by emphasizing the need for additional research to develop advanced crop varieties with improved drought tolerance, contributing to greater sustainability and food security worldwide.