Understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying drought response in maize, particularly in relation to nitrogen and phosphate homeostasis

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future-work section and future work and stated research gap of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 3 journals.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Profiling of Glutamate Decarboxylase (LuGAD) Genes in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.): Insights into Their Role in Drought Stress Tolerance and GABA-Mediated Regulation (2026) · Journal of Plant Growth Regulation · doi

  Further studies are needed to investigate the functional mechanisms of LuGAD genes in drought stress tolerance, - Future research should examine the effects of other environmental stresses on LuGAD gene expression, - The study of LuGAD genes in other plant species could provide insights into their evolution and function, - Investigation of the interactions between LuGAD proteins and other metabolic and stress-related partners is necessary

  generalfuture-work section
  Keywords: further studies needed investigate functional mechanisms lugad genes
• The grapevine as a model plant to describe intra- and interspecific mechanisms of drought acclimation (2026) · npj Science of Plants · doi

  114. Ogata, T. et al. CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis of OsERA1 confers enhanced responses to abscisic acid and drought stress and increased primary root growth under nonstressed conditions in rice. PLoS ONE 15, e0243376 (2020). 115. de Melo, B. P. et al. Transcriptional modulation of AREB-1 by 116. CRISPRa improves plant physiological performance under severe water deficit. Sci. Rep. 10, 16231 (2020). Illouz-Eliaz, N. et al. Mutations in the tomato gibberellin receptors suppress xylem proliferation and reduce water loss under water- deficit conditions. J. Exp. Bot. 71, 3603–3612 (2020). 117. Liu, L. et al. CRISPR/Cas9 targeted mutagenesis of SlLBD40, a lateral organ boundaries domain transcription factor, enhances drought tolerance in tomato. Plant Sci. 301, 110683 (2020). 118. Nuñez-Muñoz, L. et al. Plant drought tolerance provided through genome editing of the trehalase gene. Plant Signal. Behav. 16, 1877005 (2021). 119. Naing, A. H. & Kim, C. K. Abiotic stress-induced anthocyanins in plants: their role in tolerance to abiotic stresses. Physiol. Plant 172, 1711–1723 (2021). 133. Dal Santo, S. et al. The terroir concept interpreted through grape berry metabolomics and transcriptomics. J. Vis. Exp. 116, e54410 (2016). 134. Georgiadou, E. C. et al. The effect of terroir on volatilome fingerprinting and qualitative attributes of non-irrigated grapes reveals differences on glycosylated aroma compounds. J. Sci. Food Agric. 105, 507–519 (2025). 135. Palai, G. et al. Jasmonates signalling plays a key role in modulating berry terpenes accumulation under water deficit conditions in Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Sangiovese). Environ. Exp. Bot. 236, 106171 (2025). 136. Zarrouk, O. et al. Grape ripening is regulated by deficit irrigation/ elevated temperatures according to cluster position in the canopy. Front. Plant Sci. 7, 1640 (2016). 137. Pinasseau, L. et al. Cultivar diversity of grape skin polyphenol composition and changes in response to drought investigated by LC-MS based metabolomics. Front. Plant Sci. 8, 1826 (2017). 138. Schefeldt, P. & Hrazdina, G. Co-pigmentation of anthocyanins under physiological conditions. J. Food Sci. 43, 517–520 (1978). 120. Tu, M. et al. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of VvbZIP36 promotes anthocyanin accumulation in grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Hortic. Res. 9, uhac022 (2022). 139. Rustioni, L. et al. Copigmentation and anti-copigmentation in grape extracts studied by spectrophotometry and post-column-reaction HPLC. Food Chem. 132, 2194–2201 (2012). 121. Reta, K. et al. Canopy management practices in warm environment vineyards to improve grape yield and quality in a changing climate. A review. A vademecum to vine canopy management under the challenge of global warming. Sci. Hortic. 341, 113998 (2025). 122. Beusa, I. et al. Delaying berry ripening of Bobal and Tempranillo grapevines by late leaf removal in a semi-arid and temperate-warm climate under different water regimes. Aust. J. Grape Wine Res. 25, 70–82

  generalfuture workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: plant grape water drought conditions crispr mutagenesis tolerance berry food canopy targeted stress physiological tomato
• CRISPR–Cas9 Applications in plant science: Advances, challenges, and future perspectives (2026) · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · doi

  Future research in CRISPR–Cas9 plant biotechnology is expected to focus on expanding genome editing applications to orphan and underutilized crops, which are essential for regional food security but have historically received limited breeding investment (Figure 3). Advances in delivery technologies, particularly DNA-free and tissue culture-independent methods, are anticipated to broaden species applicability and improve regulatory acceptance. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for sgRNA design, off-target prediction, and phenotype modeling will further enhance editing precision and efficiency. Additionally, emerging CRISPR variants and programmable epigenome editors offer new opportunities for reversible and environmentally responsive gene regulation. Collectively, these innovations are expected to strengthen the role of CRISPR–Cas9 in sustainable agriculture and accelerate the development of resilient, high-performing crop varieties (Somaly & Sokra, 2026; Somaly et al., 2026a; Somaly et al., 2026b). Figure 3. Application of CRISPR-Cas9 in plant science.

  generalfuture workevidence 5/5
  Keywords: crispr somaly plant expected editing future biotechnology focus expanding genome applications orphan underutilized crops essential
• Integrated Analysis of Drought-Responsive miRNA–Target Modules Link Drought Stress with Nitrogen and Phosphate Homeostasis in Maize (2026) · Journal of Plant Growth Regulation · doi

  There is a lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying drought response in maize, particularly in relation to nitrogen and phosphate homeostasis. Prior studies have not fully explored the role of miRNA-target modules in linking drought stress with nitrogen and phosphate homeostasis. The study aims to fill this gap by investigating the role of miRNA-target modules in maize under drought stress.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there lack understanding molecular mechanisms underlying drought response

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