Cloning, Characterization and Transformation of Methyltransferase 2a Gene (Zmet2a) in Maize (Zea mays L.)

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulatory mechanism,it regulates gene expression by recruiting proteins involved in gene repression or by inhibiting the binding of transcription factor(s)to DNA.In this study,a novel methyltransferase 2a gene(Zmet2a)was cloned in maize and identified by polymerase chain reaction-base(PCR-base)using a bioinformatics strategy.The Zmet2a cDNA sequence is 2739 bp long and translates to 912 amino acid peptides.The Zmet2a protein revealed that it contains BAH and CHROMO structural domains,is a non-transmembrane protein that is hydrophilically unstable,and has no signal peptide structure.Meanwhile,we verified the biological roles of Zmet2a using transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing Zmet2a and Zmet2a-knockout maize.Transgenic Zmet2a Arabidopsis thaliana showed highly significant advancement inflowering time,and Zmet2a-knockout maize showed advancement inflowering time,with significant changes in several traits.Altogether,these report the role of Zmet2a in the regulation offlowering time,which will lay a foundation for revealing the biological function and epigenetic regulation mechanism of Zmet2a in the growth,development andflowering of maize.

Maize cryptochromes 1a1 and 1a2 promote seedling photomorphogenesis and shade resistance in Zea mays and Arabidopsis

Maize growth and development are regulated by light quality,intensity and photoperiod.Cryptochromes are blue/ultraviolet-A light receptors involved in stem elongation,shade avoidance,and photoperiodic flowering.To investigate the function of cryptochrome 1(CRY1) in maize,where it is encoded by Zm CRY1,we obtained two Zm CRY1a genes(Zm CRY1a1 and Zm CRY1a2),both of which share the highest similarity with other gramineous plants,in particular rice CRY1a by phylogenetic analysis.In Arabidopsis,overexpression of Zm CRY1a genes promoted seedling de-etiolation under blue and white light,resulting in dwarfing of mature plants.In seedlings of the maize inbred line Zong 31(Zm CRY1aOE),overexpression of Zm CRY1a genes caused a reduction in the mesocotyl and first leaf sheath lengths due to down-regulation of genes influencing cell elongation.In mature transgenic maize plants,plant height,ear height,and internode length decreased in response to overexpression of Zm CRY1a genes.Expression of Zm CRY1a were insensitive to low blue light(LBL)-induced shade avoidance syndrome(SAS) in Arabidopsis and maize.This prompted us to investigate the regulatory role of the gibberellin and auxin metabolic pathways in the response of Zm CRY1a genes to LBL treatment.We confirmed a link between Zm CRY1a expression and hormonal influence on the growth and development of maize under LBL-induced SAS.These results reveal that Zm CRY1a has a relatively conservative function in regulating maize photomorphogenesis and may guide new strategies for breeding high density-tolerant maize cultivars.

Determination and Quantification of Susceptibility of Heritance Resistance to Root Rot of Eight Commercial Genotypes of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize is susceptible to a number of diseases that can infect all plant organs and serve as a constraint on cereal production. The reduction in cereal production caused by disease is estimated at an average of 9.4%. Corn root rot contributes greatly to the reduction in grain production and quality. The main objective of this work was to review the research on root rot in maize to determine the susceptibility of genotypes to root rot and to quantify the inheritance of resistance to root rot in maize. The methodology used was a complete 8 × 8 diallel design planted during the year 1999/2000. Root discoloration, plant length, root volume, effective volume and yield were the evaluated parameters. To analyze the data and determine the combinatorial abilities, genetic correlations, heritability and correlated response, diallel analysis was used. Eight parental lines;P28, I137TN, MP706, E739, MO17, B37, B73, and B14 were planted. The lines were crossed into each other, all combinations according to the complete diallel model (Model 1). The F1 was harvested after maturation. For statistical analysis, the version of the Agrobase program (2016) was used. Results show that F1 hybrids showed significant differences in root rot discoloration, plant height, root volume, effective root volume and yield. The P28 line and the B73XE739 cross had, respectively, the highest general and specific combinations. Root discoloration had the highest genetic correlation (rA = 0.47) with plant length. Broad and narrow heritability for root rot discoloration were, respectively, h2 = 0.81 and h2 = 0.51. Root rot discoloration showed the highest correlated response (CR = 0.14) on plant length.

Use of the Biostimulant Based on the Mycorrhizae Consortium of the Glomeraceae Family in the Field to Improve the Production and Nutritional Status of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants in Central Benin

Excessive use of mineral fertilizers in maize farming negatively affects farmers’ income and impacts long-term soil health. This study aims to appreciate the effectiveness of biostimulant based on native Glomeraceae arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the production and uptake of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium of maize (Zea mays L.) plants in central Benin. The trials were set up in a farming environment with thirty-four producers. The experimental design was composed of three treatments installed at 34 producers. Three growth parameters were evaluated on 60 ème days after sowing. Grain yield, nutritional status of maize plants and mycorrhization parameters were determined at harvest. The results showed that the Glomeraceae + 50% NPK (NPK: azote-phosphore-potassium)_Urea treatment improved the height, the crown diameter and the leaf area by 17.85%, 21.79% and 28.32% compared to the absolute control and by 0.41%, 1.11% and 1.46% compared to the 100% NPK_Urea treatment, respectively. Similarly, grain yield improved by 45.87% with the use of Glomeraceae + 50% NPK_Urea compared to the absolute control and by 3.96% compared to the 100% NPK_Urea treatment. The Glomeraceae + 50% NPK_Urea significantly improved the phosphorus and potassium uptake of maize plants. With respect to nitrogen uptake, no statistical difference was observed between treatments. The mycorrhizae strains used improved root infection in the maize plants. We recorded 66% frequency and 40.5% intensity of mycorrhization. The biostimulant based on indigenous Glomeraceae combined with 50% NPK_Urea can be used as a strategy to restore soil health and improve maize productivity in Benin.

Italian Ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum) and Corn (Zea mays) Competition

Italian ryegrass is an annual/biennial grass that is typically used as a pasture crop or a cover crop along roadsides, rights-of-way, and industrial areas. Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Italian ryegrass populations have been documented around the world, mostly in orchard and vineyard situations. The first evidence of evolved GR Italian ryegrass in row/agronomic crops was reported from Washington County, Mississippi in 2005. GR Italian ryegrass populations can jeopardize preplant burndown options in reduced-tillage crop production systems, thereby, delaying planting operations. The effects of competition of Italian ryegrass on crop growth and yield are poorly understood. A field study was conducted in the 2012 growing season and repeated in the 2013 growing season. GR and susceptible (GS) Italian ryegrass populations were established in the greenhouse and transplanted in prepared corn row beds in the fall of 2011 and 2012 at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 plants·meter> of crop row. Italian ryegrass plants overwintered and developed over the following spring-summer. Glyphosate was applied at 1.26 kg·ae/ha (1.5× of labeled rate) in the spring to burndown the Italian ryegrass plants and corn was planted into the ryegrass residue 2 - 3 wk later. Current corn production practices were followed. Corn density (early and late season), height (early season), and yield and Italian ryegrass biomass (early-mid season) measurements were recorded during both years. Corn height was greater in 2012 than that in 2013 at comparable stages of the growing season, due to a cooler and wetter early season in 2013 than that in 2012. Averaged across weed densities, corn density (both early and late season) and yield were higher in the GS than those in the GR population, but Italian ryegrass biomass was similar for both populations. Averaged across Italian ryegrass populations, corn density (both early and late season), and yield were inversely proportional to Italian ryegrass density. In summary, Italian ryegrass significantly reduced corn density and yield and reduction was greater with the GR than that with the GS population. Studies are underway to study inter population competition in Italian ryegrass and investigate allelopathic effects of Italian ryegrass on selected crops.

Morphological Diversity of Corn’s (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) Local Cultivar and Improved Varieties in Central and North of Benin

The better knowledge of a plant genetic biodiversity is based on a prior study of its agro-morphological characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity of maize accessions and its structure on the basis of 14 variables. For the experimentation, 43 and 98 maize accessions were planted in three replicates respectively in central and northern Benin following an incomplete randomized block. The mixed model analysis of two factors variance revealed a significant difference for all accessions considering each agro-morphological characteristic evaluated except the germination day of two areas seed accessions. The numerical classification grouped the accessions into four groups in each zone. The stepwise discriminant analysis showed that early characters related to plant height and ear insertion were the variables that discriminated accessions in both zones. Maturity and recovery ears, sensitivity to streak and the germination days are the variables that discriminate accessions of the two areas. These results provide a database for the creation of improved maize varieties that meet the needs of

密度与氮肥对关中灌区夏玉米(Zea mays L.)群体光合生理指标的影响

合理的密度是玉米构建良好群体结构、优化群体光合生理功能的基础,适宜的氮肥施用量是玉米进行光合生产的营养物质保障。运用作物群体生理学的方法,采用二次饱和D试验设计,研究了关中灌区夏玉米密度与氮肥耦合和群体光合生理指标的关系及其效应,明确了在关中灌区夏播条件下,在45000-75000株/hm^2的密度范围内,密度与玉米籽粒产量、总干物质积累量（DMA）、吐丝期叶面积指数（MLAI）、总光合势（LAD）、平均作物生长率（CGR）为正相关,在45000-60000株/hm^2的密度范围内,密度与玉米叶片平均净同化率（NAR）为正相关,而在60000-75000株/hm^2的密度范围内,密度与玉米NAR为负相关;在氮素施用量≤600.0 kg/hm^2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米籽粒产量、DMA、CGR为正相关,在氮素施用量≤260.55 kg/hm^2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米MLAI、LAD为正相关,与玉米NAR为负相关,而在氮素施用量260.55-600.0kg/hm^2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米MLAI、LAD为负相关,与玉米NAR为正相关。密度对其影响较大的指标为：籽粒产量、DMA、LAD、CGR和MLAI,影响较小的指标为：NAR;氮肥对其影响较大的指标为：DMA、CGR、籽粒产量、NAR,影响较小的指标为：LAD和MLAI。对籽粒产量和群体生理指标的综合影响效应,密度显著大于氮肥,玉米生产中,尤其要重视合理密植。通过对回归模型的解析,筛选确定了陕单8806玉米在关中灌区夏播中,实现高产的密度与氮肥耦合优化技术方案：合理密度为61713-66177株/hm^2,适宜纯氮施用量为309.88-569.02kg/hm^2。

麦茬处理方式对夏玉米(Zea mays L.)根际生物活性的影响

通过两年3点的大田试验,研究了不同麦茬处理方式(平茬、立茬、除茬)对夏玉米(Zea mays L.)根际生物活性的影响。结果表明:不同麦茬处理的夏玉米根际微生物数量、土壤蛋白酶和脲酶活性均呈先升后降的变化趋势,且在吐丝期达到最大值,但在不同生育时期,不同处理间有所差异,趋势为平茬>立茬>除茬,且苗期差异较大,后期逐渐减小。麦茬处理方式对夏玉米田土壤碳通量的影响也表现出同样趋势。

常乐稀土复合肥对玉米(Zea mays L.)的细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应

为了研究常乐稀土多元复合肥对主要农作物--玉米(Zea mays L.)是否产生细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,采用不同梯度质量浓度的稀土复合肥溶液对玉米进行处理,观察其根尖生长状况,统计分析细胞死亡率、微核率、有丝分裂指数以及对细胞DNA的损伤情况.结果表明,质量浓度为10mg·L-1以下时,常乐稀土复合肥能够促进玉米根尖的生长,100mg·L-1以上时抑制根尖生长;随着试验浓度的递增,细胞死亡率、微核率、DNA损伤率逐渐上升并具有正相关性,表现出明显的剂量-效应关系,而有丝分裂指数却随着浓度的增加逐渐下降.以上结果表明,常乐稀土复合肥对玉米确有一定的细胞毒性和遗传毒性效应,其细胞毒性阈值和遗传毒性阈值皆为100mg·L-1.

转基因抗虫玉米LG11中m2cryAb-vip3A融合基因及其蛋白的表达分析

抗虫转基因作物中杀虫蛋白的表达量对抗虫效果至关重要,研究外源Bt基因在作物不同生育时期和不同组织器官中的时空表达模式,对于抗虫转基因玉米产业化后的害虫抗性治理和农业转基因生物安全管理具有重要意义。LG11抗虫转基因玉米中的抗虫基因是山东省农业科学院通过人工合成方法将外源Bt杀虫蛋白Cry1Ab和Vip3Aa的主要结构域组合形成的新型抗虫融合蛋白M2cryAb-vip3A,连续两年对该转化体材料抗虫基因m2cryAb-vip3A的表达模式进行分析,利用实时定量PCR方法从转录水平对LG11苗期的根、茎和叶,吐丝期的根和茎,成熟期的根、叶和籽粒中的m2cryAb-vip3A基因的表达模式进行分析;利用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)从翻译水平对苗期的根、茎和叶,吐丝期的根、茎、花丝和花粉,成熟期的根、茎、叶、籽粒和苞叶中的M2cryAb-vip3A蛋白表达量进行测定。结果表明,m2cryAb-vip3A抗虫融合基因及其编码蛋白在抗虫转基因玉米不同生育时期的不同组织器官中表达差异较大,以幼苗期叶片中的表达量最高。该研究结果可为LG11未来的商业化推广和农业转基因生物安全管理提供有用的信息。

紫外线对玉米(Zea mays L.)原生质体影响的初步研究

酶解墨西哥黑甜玉米的愈伤组织产生的原生质体,经380μW/cm^2紫外线分别照射30 s,60 s,180 s,300 s,发现原生质体的活力及生长与紫外线的剂量有密切关系,随着紫外线剂量的增大,生长及活性趋于降低.辐照30 s的玉米原生质体与对照都可以恢复分裂并长成愈伤组织;辐照60 s的原生质体可以形成小细胞团,未见形成愈伤组织;而辐照180 s和300 s的原生质体都未见细胞分裂.

明矾对玉米(Zea mays L.)根尖细胞的遗传毒性效应

目的研究明矾对玉米（Zea mays L.）根尖细胞微核及异常有丝分裂的诱导,阐明明矾对玉米根尖细胞的遗传毒性效应。方法以玉米根尖为实验材料,用不同浓度的明矾为诱变剂,处理24h,测定玉米根尖细胞的有丝分裂指数、微核率和染色体畸变率。结果不同浓度明矾均能诱发较高微核率和染色体畸变率（P〈0.05）,在同样的条件下,0.1-1.0 g/L明矾处理下玉米根尖细胞微核率和染色体畸变率显著升高并达到最高值,而1.0-2.0 g/L明矾处理下玉米根尖细胞微核率和染色体畸变率下降并趋于平缓。同时在低浓度明矾作用下,玉米根尖细胞分裂有显著的加速现象。当明矾浓度到达一定程度后,表现为玉米根尖细胞分裂减少。结论明矾诱发玉米根尖细胞高微核率和有丝分裂异常,明矾对玉米根尖细胞具有明显的细胞遗传学毒性效应。

转基因抗虫耐除草剂玉米自交系LG11的获得及抗性分析

虫害是影响我国玉米产量和品质的重要限制因子,转Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)基因玉米具有很好的抗虫性,能有效减少化学杀虫剂的使用,深受种植者欢迎。但是大面积持续种植转基因玉米,会引发靶标害虫产生抗性,“多基因”策略是阻止或延缓靶标害虫抗性种群发生的主要治理策略之一。本课题组利用人工合成方法将Cry1Ab和Vip3Aa蛋白的主要结构域组合形成融合蛋白M2cryAb-vip3Aa,这2种杀虫蛋白在进化上没有同源性且杀虫机理存在差别,能有效降低靶标害虫产生抗性的几率。本研究拟通过转基因方法将m2cryAb-vip3Aa和bar基因串联导入受体材料,并以骨干自交系昌7-2为回交亲本进行回交转育,获得抗虫耐除草剂且拥有优良农艺性状的转基因玉米新材料,并对抗虫性和耐除草剂抗性进行分析。研究结果将丰富现有的抗虫耐除草剂玉米种质资源,并为玉米田间害虫防治和杂草治理提供新的解决方案。

Pb、Cu胁迫对玉米(Zea mays L.)生长、细胞色素合成以及重金属吸收特性的影响

通过水培试验,以玉米作为供试植株,研究Pb、Cu胁迫对玉米生长发育、细胞色素合成以及重金属吸收的影响。结果表明,Pb、Cu单一胁迫下玉米根长较对照组均偏低,复合胁迫下根长随着Pb、Cu复合浓度的增加而减小。玉米植株在重金属Pb、Cu单一胁迫下生物量变化不明显,但在不同水平Pb、Cu复合胁迫下,表现随着重金属胁迫浓度增加,玉米植株生物量先增加后减小。玉米叶绿素含量随着Pb胁迫浓度增加而增加、随着Cu浓度增加而降低;Pb、Cu单一胁迫下β-类胡萝卜素含量随着Pb浓度增加先降低后增加,随着Cu含量增加先增加后降低;Pb、Cu单一胁迫下花青素含量较对照组均增大,Cu胁迫下花青素含量增加更明显,最低增加0.65%,最高增加21.25%。玉米不同器官对Pb、Cu积累有一定差异,在单一重金属胁迫下Pb、Cu在玉米体内积累量与胁迫浓度呈正相关,分布顺序为根系>茎叶,根部是积累Pb、Cu主要器官。Pb、Cu复合胁迫下加剧了重金属向玉米体内的迁移累积,随着Pb、Cu复合胁迫浓度的增大,根部吸收Pb、Cu逐步增大,而茎叶吸收Pb、Cu趋于平稳。相关分析显示,玉米细胞色素的合成取决于被胁迫的重金属类型,β-类胡萝卜素含量与植株体内Pb含量显著正相关,花青素含量与Cu含量显著正相关,揭示Pb对β-类胡萝卜素诱导作用强、Cu对花青素诱导作用强。

Top-grain filling characteristics at an early stage of maize(Zea mays L.) with different nitrogen use efficiencies

Maize genotypes vary significantly in their nitrogen use efficiencies（NUEs）.Better understanding of early grain filling characteristics of maize is important,especially for maize with different NUEs.The objectives of this research were（i）to investigate the difference in apical kernel development of maize with different NUEs,（ii）to determine the reaction of apical kernel development to N application levels,and（iii）to evaluate the relationship between apical kernel development and grain yield（GY）for different genotypes of maize.Three maize hybrid varieties with different NUEs were cultivated in a field with different levels of N fertilizer arranged during two growing seasons.Kernel fresh weight（KFW）,volume（KV）and dry weight（KDW）of apical kernel were evaluated at an early grain filling stage.Ear characteristics,GY and its components were determined at maturity stage.Apical kernel of the high N and high efficiency（HN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is lower,and under higher N,the yield is higher）developed better under high N（N210 and N240,pure N of 210 and 240 kg ha^–1）than at low N（N120 and N140,pure N of 120 and 140 kg ha^–1）.The low N and high efficiency（LN-HE）type（under low N,the yield is higher,while under higher N,the yield is not significantly higher）developed better under low N than at high N.The double high efficiency（D-HE）type（for both low and high N,the yield is higher）performed well under both high and low N.Apical kernel reacted differently to the N supply.Apical kernel developed well at an early grain filling stage and resulted in a higher kernel number（KN）,kernel weight（KW）and GY with better ear characteristics at maturity.

Screening Methods for Waterlogging Tolerance at Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedling Stage

Waterlogging strongly affects agronomic performance of maize （Zea mays L.）. In order to investigate the suitable selection criteria of waterflooding tolerant genotypes, and identify the most susceptible stage and the best continuous treatment time to waterlogging, 20 common maize inbred lines were subjected to successive artificial waterflooding at seedling stage, and waterlogging tolerance coefficient （WTC） was used to screen waterflooding tolerant genotypes. In addition, peroxidase （POD） activities and malondialdehyde （MDA） contents were measured for 6 of 20 lines. The results showed that the second leaf stage （V2） was the most susceptible stage, and 6 d after waterflooding was the best continuous treatment time. Dry weight （DW） of both shoots and roots of all lines were significantly reduced at 6 d time-point of waterlogging, compared to control. POD activities and MDA contents were negatively and significantly correlated, and the correlation coefficient was -0.9686 （P 〈 0.0001）. According to the results, WTC of shoot DW can be used for practical screening as a suitable index, which is significantly different from control and waterlogged plants happened 6 d earlier. Furthermore, leaf chlorosis, MDA content and POD activities could also be used as reference index for material screening. The implications of the results for waterlogging-tolerant material screening and waterlogging-tolerant breeding have been discussed in maize.

Application of hybrids with cytoplasmic male-sterility in Zea mays L.in China

The abortive behaviour and the cytoplasm quality of cytoplasmic male-sterility(CMS)lines of homocaryon were investigated and the existence of C race of Bipolaris maydiswere discussed from the point of view of genetic breeding,physiology and pathology in this paper.Then the countermeasures to prevent the danger from disease of B. maydis in CMS hybrid pro-duction were proposed.

玉米EIN3/EIL家族基因ZmEIL9调控籽粒发育

【目的】玉米籽粒大小和粒重是影响其产量的重要因素。EIN3/EIL基因家族是乙烯信号转导途径中的关键转录因子,解析EIN3/EIL家族基因ZmEIL9在玉米籽粒发育中的生物学功能。【方法】利用生物信息学和RT-qPCR分析ZmEIL9在玉米籽粒发育中的表达特征,对ZmEIL9及其同源基因进行多序列比对,利用邻接法构建其系统进化树,分析ZmEIL9编码蛋白序列特征,对目的蛋白进行亚细胞定位。筛选ZmEIL9的玉米Mu转座子插入突变体和CRISPR/Cas9编辑突变体,鉴定突变体和对照的农艺性状表型,分析籽粒灌浆速率,测量淀粉粒、蛋白含量等籽粒储藏物质。【结果】根据玉米中EIN3/EIL家族成员,系统进化树分析显示,ZmEIL9编码蛋白与ZmEIL1、SbEIL1亲缘关系较近。玉米自交系B73籽粒转录组数据库中,ZmEIL9在籽粒发育早期和晚期表达量较高,但在自交系N04籽粒发育中期和晚期表达量较高。在自交系丹232和N04中ZmEIL9编码644个氨基酸,自交系B73中编码642个氨基酸;亚细胞定位表明,ZmEIL9编码蛋白定位于细胞核中。获得不同Mu转座子插入位点的ZmEIL9突变体,以及发生氨基酸移码突变的CRISPR/Cas9编辑突变体,表型分析表明,ZmEIL9的Mu转座子突变体和编辑突变体的株高、籽粒粒长和百粒重均比对照显著降低。对不同发育时期玉米籽粒干重进行分析,显示Zmeil9突变体的籽粒灌浆速率小于野生型。扫描电镜观察显示,Zmeil9突变体比野生型成熟籽粒中的淀粉粒明显变小,并表现不规则形态;进一步分析表明,Zmeil9编辑突变体籽粒中总淀粉含量和醇溶蛋白浓度均显著低于野生型。【结论】ZmEIL9在玉米籽粒发育过程中起重要调控作用。

Activity of Acetolactate Synthase from Maize (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by Chlorsulfuron and Tribenuron-methyl

Study on relative sensitivity of maize (Zea mays L.) Nongda108 and Nongda3138 to sulfony-lurea herbicide chlorsulfuron and tribenuron-methyl using maize taproot length by sand bioassy indicated that, Nongda3138 had higher tolerance to chlorsulfuron and tribenuron-methyl than Nongda108 did. Chlorsulfuron had stronger growth inhibition to maize Nongda108 and Nongda3138 than tribenuron-methyl did. Study on target enzyme of sulfonylurea herbicide acetolactate synthase (ALS) showed that, chlorsulfuron and tribenuron-methyl inhibited ALS in vitro strongly, and non-competitively. In the same concentration of inhibitors, chlorsulfuron had stronger ALS activity inhibition than tribenuron-methyl did. Lower level of chlorsulfuron and tribenuron-methyl has no ALS activity inhibition in vivo, the ALS inhibition only occurred in the condition of high concentration of chlorsulfuron and tribenuron-methyl in vivo.

Influence of Zinc Nutrition on Growth and Yield Behaviour of Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>L.) Hybrids

A field experiment was conducted during spring 2011 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Zn uptake and grain yield in three maize hybrids namely Pioneer-32F 10, Monsanto-6525 and Hycorn-8288 through the application of Zn in the form of ZnSO4. The ZnSO4 treatments comprised;soil application at the time of sowing @ 12 kg&middotha-1 (Zn1), foliar application at vegetative stage (9 leaf stage) @ 1% ZnSO4 solution (Zn2) and foliar application at reproductive stage (anthesis) @ 1% ZnSO4 solution (Zn3) and one treatment was kept as a control, where zinc was not applied (Zn0). The experimental results showed substantial difference in all physiological and yield parameters except plant height and stem diameter. Statistically maximum grain yield (8.76 t&middotha-1) was obtained with foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 9 leaf stage (Zn2) in case of Monsanto-6525. As regard to quality parameters, Pioneer-32F 10 and Hycorn-8288 accumulated more zinc contents in grains but Monsanto-6525 attained more zinc concentration in straw. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 9 leaf stage produced 19.42% more zinc contents in grains as compared to other ZnSO4 treatments. Foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 9 leaf stage in Monsanto-6525 hybrid produced higher grain yield.