Maize Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 219-228 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 225 the results showed that if the fertilization method was chosen correctly and the planting method kept up, the yield of corn could not only increase by 20%, but also reduce the environmental burden by about one-third (Luo et al., 2024). Figure 2 Overexpression of ZmPT7 increases maize Pi uptake. (a) qRT-PCR analysis of ZmPT7 expression in maize ZmPT7-overexpressing lines (Ubi:ZmPT7-1 and Ubi:ZmPT7-2). Data are means±SE of three plants. (b) Phenotype comparison between the ZmPT7-overexpressing lines and wild-type maize, which germinated and grown for 40 days. (c) Dry weights of 40-day-old ZmPT7-overexpressing lines and wild-type maize. Data are means±SE of six plants. (d) Leaf elongation of the ninth leaf. Data are means±SE of six plants. (e) Total P contents of 40-day-old ZmPT7-overexpressing lines and wild-type maize. Data are means±SE of six plants. (f) Pi-uptake rate comparison among the 10-day-old ZmPT7-overexpressing lines and wild-type plants. Data are means±SE of three biological repeats, each repeat contained two plants. Asterisks in c and e indicate significant differences compared with wild-type plants (WT). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.# (Adopted from Wang et al., 2020a) 8.3 Relevance to global phosphorus resource conservation and food security The global phosphate rock is not inexhaustible. Resources are not unlimited. This is the reality. Long-term reliance on chemical fertilizers not only leads to a decreasing amount of phosphate rock but also brings about many environmental problems (Kumar et al., 2022). To solve this problem, it is not enough to merely reduce the amount used; it is more important to enhance the utilization efficiency. At this point, all aspects, whether from the perspective of breeding, field management, or relying on the power of microorganisms, must be utilized (Gong et al., 2023). In the long run, only by combining these approaches can we not only meet the growing food demands of the global population but also ensure a more stable ecological and resource development. 9 Concluding Remarks Not all genes related to phosphoric acid can draw people's attention, but in corn, some transporters do play a key role. For instance, ZmPT7, ZmVPEs and ZmPt9, researchers have demonstrated through overexpression experiments that they not only participate in phosphorus absorption but also manage the redistribution and balance of phosphorus within plants. Especially in a low-phosphorus environment, overexpressed plants can significantly exhibit better growth conditions and stress resistance. Such results actually open a window for us to understand the mechanism by which corn ADAPTS to phosphorus restriction - transport proteins are not merely channels; they are also regulators.
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