Transcriptomic analysis of maize kernels under different pollination timing and grain removal treatments
Maize kernel development is influenced by pollination timing and competition for assimilates within the ear. Late-pollinated apical kernels are often subject to abortion under normal conditions. In this study, three treatments were designed: synchronous pollination (SP), delayed pollination of apical kernels by 5 days (PTG5), and removal of basal kernels at 10 days after pollination in PTG5-treated plants (PTG5-10GR).This project aims to investigate the impact of pollination timing on apical kernel development and to assess whether reducing sink competition through basal kernel removal can mitigate the abortion of late-pollinated kernels. RNA-seq data were generated to provide insights into the molecular responses underlying these processes.