A study in the Plants journal examined the ZmATG3 gene's role in maize's response to abiotic stresses like drought.

Overexpression of ZmATG3 was found to enhance stress tolerance under conditions such as salt, mannitol, and low nitrogen levels.

Researchers also tested plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to improve maize crop tolerance to drought.

Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus sp. showed promising results in enhancing maize growth under moderate drought conditions.

The research highlights the potential of both gene manipulation and beneficial microorganisms to boost maize resilience to environmental stresses.

These findings offer potential solutions for improving agricultural productivity in challenging conditions.