ArticleFrontiers in plant science2026
Integrated physiological and molecular insights into photosynthetic responses of maize following relay-cropping of tobacco.
Article in Frontiers in plant science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: In the relay cropping system where maize growth overlaps with the tobacco harvesting period, clarifying light competition during the co-growth stage and its effects on maize photosynthesis is essential for optimizing cropping spatial configuration. This study aimed to reveal the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the photosynthetic response of silage maize (Huidan No. 4) to relay intercropping with flue-cured tobacco (K326). Methods: A field experiment was established with two treatments: maize relay-cropped after tobacco harvest and maize monoculture. At 15, 25, and 35 days after the formation of the intercropping competitive system, photosynthetic indices, chlorophyll content, and the activities of photosynthesis-related enzymes were determined in maize functional leaves (the third leaf from the top). Transcriptome sequencing was also performed to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which tobacco shading affects maize photosynthesis. Results: The solar radiation intercepted by relay-cropped maize was significantly lower than that of monoculture maize. Correspondingly, relay-cropped maize exhibited declined photosynthetic performance, with significant reductions in photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, and activities of photosynthesis-related enzymes. Transcriptome analysis of maize functional leaves during the co-growth period identified a total of 3200 differentially expressed genes. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in photosynthesis-related pathways. Key genes involved in C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways, including *PPC*, *PPDK*, *RBCL*, and *PRK*, were significantly downregulated in relay-cropped maize. Analysis of maize photosynthetic indices across tobacco-maize co-growth durations of 0-35 days indicated that the suitable symbiotic period was 0-25 days. Discussion: In the tobacco-maize relay intercropping system, the combined effects of severe shading and shading duration downregulate photosynthesis-related genes, inhibit the activities of key carbon fixation enzymes in maize, reduce carbon dioxide fixation capacity, and restrict the accumulation of organic matter in maize plants. This study systematically illustrates the regulatory mechanism of tobacco shading on maize photosynthetic characteristics at both physiological and molecular levels, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing the spatiotemporal layout of planting systems combining grain and economic crops.
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