Search Results (4,890)

Drought stress is a major abiotic factor that adversely affects plant growth, development, and crop productivity. Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are key enzymes in the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthetic pathway and play crucial roles in plant responses to environmental stresses. In this study, the ZmLOX2 gene was cloned from maize (Zea mays L.), and was found to encode a chloroplast-localized 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX) protein. Expression analysis revealed that ZmLOX2 was predominantly expressed in leaves and was strongly induced under osmotic stress conditions. Compared with wild-type plants, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing ZmLOX2 exhibited significantly higher survival rates, enhanced growth performance, and improved root development under water deficit conditions. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that the overexpression lines displayed higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), accompanied by significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Further investigation demonstrated that the expression levels of JA biosynthesis- and signaling-related genes, including ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE (AtAOS), 12-OXOPHYTODIENOATE REDUCTASE 3 (AtOPR3), MYC DOMAIN PROTEIN 2 (AtMYC2), and JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN 1 (AtJAZ1), were markedly upregulated in the transgenic lines. Protein–protein interaction analysis suggested that ZmLOX2 may interact with ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE 1 (AOS1), HYDROPEROXIDE LYASE 1 (HPL1), and ALPHA-DIOXYGENASE 1 (DOX1). Collectively, these results suggest that ZmLOX2 may contribute to plant adaptation to water limitation by regulating responses associated with JA, enhancing antioxidant defense, and maintaining ROS homeostasis. Full article

High-density, intensive aquaculture has led to the deterioration of the aquatic environment, which compromises the survival, immune function and disease resistance of aquatic animals. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of Macleaya cordata extract (MCE) on growth performance, muscle composition, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and stress resistance in red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). Juvenile crayfish with an initial body weight of 0.22 ± 0.02 g were fed diets supplemented with 0 (Diet 1, Control), 0.01 (Diet 2), 0.02 (Diet 3), 0.04 (Diet 4), 0.08 (Diet 5), and 0.15 (Diet 6) g/kg MCE for eight weeks. Results showed that dietary MCE supplementation had no significant effect on the growth performance or muscle composition of crayfish. Conversely, supplementation with 0.02–0.04 g/kg MCE significantly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phenoloxidase (PO), and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the hepatopancreas and plasma, while significantly reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Specifically, supplementation with 0.04 g/kg MCE significantly upregulated the hepatopancreatic mRNA expression levels of SOD, hemocyanin, GPx, and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx). Furthermore, the challenge test demonstrated that supplementation with 0.04 g/kg MCE significantly improved crayfish survival under microcystin-LR (MC-LR) stress. Overall, supplementation with 0.04 g/kg MCE significantly improved the antioxidant capacity, immunity, and stress resistance of crayfish, suggesting its potential as an environmentally friendly immunostimulatory feed additive to protect against MC-LR stress in crayfish. Full article

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of CPP-C3M4 against Salmonella-induced hepatic injury in lambs. Thirty 72-day-old Hu sheep were randomly divided into five groups: the control group (CON), the Salmonella-infected group (ST), and three CPP-C3M4 pretreatment groups at low, medium and high doses (CPP-C3M4-L, CPP-C3M4-M, and CPP-C3M4-H). The results showed that administration of CPP-C3M4 via duodenal fistula significantly alleviated liver enlargement and histopathological damage caused by Salmonella infection. CPP-C3M4 improved liver function by reducing alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) levels. It enhanced the liver antioxidant capacity by increasing glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. It also alleviated inflammatory responses by downregulating the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), and toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Transcriptomic Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis further confirmed that CPP-C3M4 exerts its protective effects by suppressing multiple inflammatory pathways, with the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling axis being a key target of regulation. These results indicate that CPP-C3M4 is a promising alternative antimicrobial substance for preventing and alleviating Salmonella-induced liver injury in lambs. Full article

Drought and water deficit have severely restricted melon (Cucumis melo L.) production in Xinjiang, and large-scale systematic evaluations of drought tolerance at the germination stage are still extremely limited. Physiological and biochemical indicators related to the germination stage, including osmotic adjustment substances and antioxidant enzyme activities, have not yet been incorporated into prediction models for the rapid identification of germplasm drought resistance. To address these research gaps, this study selected 60 accessions of local melon germplasm resources in Xinjiang and used polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions at four different concentrations (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) to simulate drought stress conditions. Drought tolerance was evaluated to develop a method for the rapid screening of drought-tolerant germplasms. The findings demonstrated that PEG stress significantly suppressed seed germination and had both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on radicle growth. With the increase in PEG concentration, germination indices consistently exhibited a downward trend. Under 10% PEG treatment, the variation among different germplasms was relatively small, while 30% PEG completely inhibited seed germination. Notably, 20% PEG fell within the semi-lethal concentration range for all tested germplasms and yielded the maximum coefficient of variation for germination rate, which could maximally differentiate the drought resistance differences among germplasms. Therefore, 20% PEG was determined to be the optimal screening concentration. Under 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) stress, the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA), contents of osmotic regulators (proline, Pro; soluble protein, SP), and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX) in the radicles of melon germplasms were universally elevated. However, the variation ranges and trends of biochemical indices among different germplasms exhibited significant differences. The proline content of melon accessions with strong drought resistance increased, the malondialdehyde (a product of membrane damage) was low, and the enzyme activities increased significantly. The proline content of non-drought-tolerant melon accessions increased less, malondialdehyde accumulated in large amounts, and the activity of some protective enzymes decreased. Correlation analysis demonstrated that Pro exerted a synergistic effect in conjunction with antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT) to mitigate drought stress. Cluster analysis classified the germplasm into 14 high-tolerance types, 10 medium-tolerance types, and 9 low-tolerance types. Based on extreme germination phenotypes, 27 germplasms were identified as drought-sensitive types. A prediction model for drought tolerance was established via stepwise regression: D = −0.309 + 0.053 × Pro (proline content) + 0.319 × RL (radicle length) + 0.469 × MDA (malondialdehyde) + 0.137 × SOD (superoxide dismutase), with four core indicators (RL, MDA, Pro, SOD) identified. These findings provide a scientific basis and technical support for drought tolerance breeding, parental selection, and large-scale, precise, and rapid drought tolerance screening of melon germplasms in the arid regions of Xinjiang. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) productivity is severely constrained by drought stress. Although the maize SET domain-containing gene family has previously been investigated, the earlier analysis was based on the incomplete B73 RefGen_v2 genome assembly, and the drought-responsive functions of individual ZmSET members remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, 47 ZmSET genes were identified using the updated B73 RefGen_v5 genome and systematically analyzed for their physicochemical properties, chromosomal distribution, gene structures, conserved motifs, and promoter cis-acting elements. The ZmSET family exhibited substantial evolutionary conservation, while its promoters contained numerous stress- and hormone-responsive elements. Transcriptome analysis identified ZmSET9 as a drought-responsive gene, and RT-qPCR showed that it maintained relatively high expression throughout drought treatment. Heterologous overexpression of ZmSET9 in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced drought tolerance and supported plant growth under drought stress. Compared with wild type plants, the transgenic lines exhibited higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) activities and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation. Under PEG induced osmotic stress, AtCAT1 and AtMYC2 were more strongly induced in the transgenic lines. Protein–protein interaction prediction and yeast two-hybrid assays further demonstrated that ZmSET9 physically interacts with FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM 1 (FIE1), a core component of Polycomb repressive complex 2. These findings update the genomic characterization of the maize SET family and suggest that ZmSET9 contributes to drought tolerance by enhancing antioxidant defense and regulating stress-responsive gene expression. Full article

Selenium (Se) is a beneficial element that enhances plant antioxidant capacity, improves fruit quality, and contributes to the biofortification of horticultural crops. However, information regarding its effects on mineral nutrient balance and antioxidant metabolism in pomegranate remains limited. This study investigated the effects of foliar selenium (Se) application on fruit yield, mineral nutrient balance, antioxidant metabolism, and fruit quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. ‘Malas Saveh’ during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons under orchard conditions in Iran. Trees were treated with sodium selenate at different concentrations using a randomized complete block design. In 2022, Se was applied at 0, 2, 4, and 6 mg L⁻¹, while in 2023, based on the results of the first-year screening phase, the concentration range was expanded to 0, 6, 8, and 10 mg L⁻¹ to further investigate plant responses to higher Se levels. Foliar Se application significantly increased fruit yield, fruit number, and Se accumulation in both leaves and fruits, confirming the effectiveness of Se biofortification. Selenium treatments also improved the nutritional composition of pomegranate fruits by increasing the concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), whereas manganese (Mn) concentrations declined, suggesting an antagonistic interaction between Se and Mn uptake. Significant improvements were observed in fruit quality traits, including soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics, anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity. The 6 mg L⁻¹ treatment in 2022 and the 8–10 mg L⁻¹ treatments in 2023 resulted in the most pronounced physiological and biochemical responses, with 10 mg L⁻¹ showing no further significant improvement for several key traits. Selenium application also enhanced the antioxidant defense system through increased activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), while reducing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and membrane ion leakage. Principal component analysis further confirmed the strong positive association between higher Se concentrations and improved mineral and biochemical characteristics. Overall, foliar Se application effectively enhanced pomegranate productivity, nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, and physiological performance, highlighting its potential as a sustainable agronomic practice for the production of high-quality Se-enriched fruits. Full article

Water deficit represents a major environmental constraint that severely limits the growth and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Although inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate drought-induced stress, the efficacy of specific strains, such as Priestia aryabhattai CMAA 1363, remains to be fully elucidated. This study evaluated the morpho-agronomic and biochemical responses of common bean to seed inoculation with P. aryabhattai CMAA 1363 under two contrasting irrigation regimes: 100% (well-watered) and 40% (water-restricted) of available water capacity (AWC) under greenhouse conditions. Water restriction significantly compromised plant performance, reducing plant and pod length, root dry biomass, and yield components (pod and grain counts, and total grain mass). Conversely, bacterial inoculation enhanced vegetative traits, increasing plant length by approximately 15% and root dry biomass by approximately 25% compared to non-inoculated controls. Notably, under severe water deficit (40% AWC), inoculated plants achieved a 20% increase in total grain mass per plant relative to their non-inoculated counterparts. Biochemical profiling indicated that inoculation effectively attenuated oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and modulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, while water-stressed plants adapted by accumulating total soluble sugars and increasing peroxidase (POD) activity. Overall, P. aryabhattai CMAA 1363 promotes vegetative development, preserves grain production under drought, and orchestrates antioxidant defense mechanisms, highlighting its potential as a sustainable bioinput to improve common bean resilience in water-limited agricultural systems. Full article

The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the differences in blood gas indicators, antioxidant indicators, and lactate content between high- and low-performance tumbler pigeons after exercise, and to use metabolomics and metagenomics techniques to screen for differential metabolites and bacteria related to tumbler pigeon exercise. This experiment selected 12 high-performing (HP) and 12 low-performing (LP) tumbler pigeons, half male and half female, and all pigeons were raised under the same conditions. Three experimental pigeons were grouped for exercise training, with a 20 min training session. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in multiple blood gas parameters related to acid–base balance and gas exchange between the HP and LP groups after tumbler pigeon exercise. In addition, the content of glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver of the HP group of tumbler pigeons was significantly lower than that of the LP group (p < 0.05). In comparison, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher than that of the LP group (p < 0.05). The content of lactate (Lac) was significantly higher than that of the LP group (p < 0.05). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that differential metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, starch and sucrose metabolism, and fatty acid synthesis. Intestinal metagenomics analysis revealed that the Corynebacteriaceae, Bacillus, Pseudomonad phylum and Corynebacterium were significant biomarkers with significant differences in the gut microbiota of the HP group of tumbler pigeons (p < 0.05). In summary, there are significant differences in blood physiological parameters, antioxidant capacity, lactate content, intestinal metabolites, and gut microbiota between high- and low-performance tumbler pigeons after exercise. This result provides theoretical guidance and data support for cultivating high-performance tumbler pigeons. Full article

Bamboo leaf flavonoids (BLFs) possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, their effects in aged laying hens remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of dietary BLF supplementation on production performance, egg quality, and liver health in aged laying hens. The results showed that compared with the control group, BLF significantly improved albumen height, yolk weight, and Haugh units. Histological examination showed that aged laying hens exhibited hepatic steatosis and vacuolar degeneration, whereas BLF supplementation alleviated these pathological changes. In addition, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly reduced in hens fed BLF, indicating that liver cell damage had been alleviated. BLF supplementation increased the hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities while decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, suggesting enhanced antioxidant capacity. Network pharmacology analysis identified major flavonoid components (quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin) and inflammation-related targets, including IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated strong binding affinities between BLF active components and these key inflammatory targets. Consistently, Western blot analysis showed that BLF reduced the expression of NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α in the liver. In conclusion, dietary BLF supplementation improved egg quality, enhanced hepatic antioxidant capacity, and alleviated liver inflammation in aged laying hens. These beneficial effects may be associated with the regulation of inflammatory signaling pathways, highlighting the potential of BLF as a functional feed additive. Full article

Seasonal variability and reproductive investment influence oxidative metabolism in fish; however, the relationship between reproductive dynamics and antioxidant responses in freshwater cyprinids remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated seasonal and biological factors affecting antioxidant biomarkers in the gonads of Capoeta umbla and Capoeta trutta inhabiting the Karasu River (Türkiye). A total of 152 individuals were examined between April 2023 and March 2024, and reproductive indices (total body weight, gonad weight, and gonadosomatic index) were evaluated together with oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Multivariate analyses (PERMANOVA, SIMPER, and principal coordinate analysis) were used to determine the factors shaping oxidative responses. Females exhibited higher reproductive investment, while reproductive activity increased during spring and summer, accompanied by elevated MDA levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. PERMANOVA identified season as the primary factor explaining variation in oxidative biomarkers (p = 0.001), followed by reproductive parameters, and PCO revealed clear seasonal separation among groups. These findings indicate that oxidative balance in gonadal tissues is strongly associated with seasonal reproductive cycles and environmental variability in wild freshwater cyprinids. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress is closely tied to diabetic bone disorders. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a key antioxidant enzyme, yet its sex-specific link with osteoporosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate this association and explore its potential biological mechanism. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 2023 T2DM patients (1137 males, 886 females) grouped by bone mineral density (BMD). Multivariate logistic regression was used, and in vitro experiments validated SOD3’s effect on osteoclast differentiation. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, higher serum SOD activity (>135 U/mL) was independently associated with approximately 50% lower odds of prevalent osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in women, whereas no significant association was observed in men. Recombinant SOD3 inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a concentration-dependent way. Conclusions: Higher serum SOD activity was independently associated with a lower prevalence of osteoporosis in women with T2DM. Serum SOD activity may serve as a potential biomarker associated with osteoporosis in this population. These findings provide new insights into the relationship between oxidative stress and diabetic bone disease and warrant validation in prospective studies. Full article

Glyphosate (GLY), one of the most extensively applied broad-spectrum herbicides worldwide, frequently contaminates soil and aquatic ecosystems, posing serious threats to human health, non-target organisms, soil microbial communities, and environmental sustainability. In the present study, phytoremediation using Medicago sativa (MS) was evaluated for the removal of GLY from contaminated soil under greenhouse conditions, with remediation efficiency enhanced through inoculation with two bacterial bioagents, Bacillus sp. h10 (BS) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa KZFS4 (PA). Biochemical parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA), together with detoxification-related gene expression, were investigated in the roots and leaves of MS exposed to GLY stress. The combined application of MS with BS + PA, followed by MS + PA and MS + BS, significantly decreased GLY residues in soil and increased GLY accumulation in plant roots and leaves after 1, 3, 7, and 10 days compared with MS treatment alone. In vitro batch equilibrium experiments demonstrated that BS and PA desorbed 33.63 and 40.56 µg g⁻¹ of GLY, respectively, thereby enhancing its removal from soil. The persistence of GLY was highest in contaminated soil without treatment, exhibiting a half-life (t₁/₂) of 52.66 days, whereas the shortest half-life (6.69 days) was recorded in soil treated with MS combined with BS and PA relative to sterilized contaminated soil. Furthermore, inoculation with BS and PA markedly increased SOD and CAT activities in MS tissues, while significantly reducing H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation, indicating alleviation of oxidative stress. GLY exposure also triggered substantial upregulation of detoxification-associated genes, including cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferases (GST), glycosyltransferases (GTs), and ABC transporters in MS. These findings demonstrate that the integration of BS and PA with phytoremediation effectively accelerates GLY dissipation and reduces pesticide-associated toxicity in contaminated soils and plants. Full article

To investigate the regulatory effects of salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on crop growth under salt stress and to identify superior bacterial resources for saline–alkaline soil improvement, the maize variety Ningdan 33 was used as the experimental material. Strain XJ-33, a salt-tolerant PGPR isolated from saline–alkaline soil in Ningxia, was selected for inoculation. Based on morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the strain was identified as Pseudomonas glycinae. This strain can tolerate extreme conditions of up to 10% NaCl and a pH of 11.0, and exhibits multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including the production of siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), as well as ACC deaminase activity. The results showed that inoculation with XJ-33 significantly promoted the growth of maize seedlings under salt stress. Compared with the control, inoculated plants exhibited significant increases in plant height, root length, and biomass (both fresh and dry weights), with the most pronounced increments observed in shoot and root dry weights, which increased by 82.61% and 81.63%, respectively. Physiological and biochemical analyses revealed that leaf SPAD values, chlorophyll content, and nitrogen content increased by 15.00%, 13.18%, and 18.47%, respectively, following inoculation. Additionally, root activity (indicated by dehydrogenase activity) was significantly enhanced. In terms of stress physiology, inoculation improved the osmotic adjustment capacity of the plants; the levels of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline in both leaves and roots increased significantly, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, an indicator of membrane lipid peroxidation, decreased significantly. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme system was positively modulated: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly elevated in both leaves and roots, while peroxidase (POD) activity decreased. In conclusion, strain XJ-33 exhibits robust salt tolerance and strong plant growth-promoting capabilities. It can alleviate salt-induced damage in maize by regulating osmotic balance, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and promoting nutrient uptake, thereby demonstrating significant application potential for saline–alkaline soil improvement and the development of microbial agents. Full article

Low-molecular-weight collagen peptides from food processing byproducts offer a sustainable approach to mitigating intestinal inflammation, yet their mechanistic roles remain incompletely understood. We evaluated red fish scale collagen peptides-I (LSCP-I), a <3 kDa collagen peptide fraction derived from Lutjanus erythropterus scales, in cellular and murine models of colitis. In Caco-2 cells subjected to macrophage-mediated inflammatory injury, LSCP-I (50 µg/mL) increased proliferation by 35%, enhanced migration by 40%, preserved barrier integrity, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 45%, decreased lipid peroxidation by 30%, and restored glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, oral administration of LSCP-I at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day attenuated weight loss and diarrhea, lowered intestinal permeability by 38%, enhanced colon histology, and restored the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, LSCP-I activated the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and partially restored gut microbiota composition. These results demonstrate that LSCP-I reinforces intestinal barrier function, restores redox homeostasis, and modulates host–microbiota interactions, establishing its potential as a functional food ingredient for the prevention and management of inflammatory bowel disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Drought stress is a primary constraint on maize productivity, yet the role of rhizosphere microbial communities in modulating cultivar-specific drought resilience remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the physiological and microbiome-mediated responses underlying differences in drought tolerance between contrasting cultivars to better understand drought tolerance mechanisms. Methods: Two maize cultivars with contrasting drought tolerance—NK718 (tolerant) and Zhongdan 808 (sensitive)—were subjected to drought stress at the V12 stage. We assessed yield components, oxidative stress indicators (Malondialdehyde (MDA)), and antioxidant enzyme activities (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD), Catalase (CAT)). Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze structural and functional shifts in the rhizosphere microbiota. Results: Drought significantly suppressed yield and physiological performance in both cultivars. However, the sensitive cultivar suffered more pronounced yield losses and severe oxidative stress, indicated by elevated Malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Conversely, the tolerant cultivar maintained superior physiological homeostasis. Metagenomic sequencing revealed drought-induced microbial shifts, including decreased Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, alongside increased Actinobacteriota and Mucoromycota. Notably, the drought-tolerant cultivar exhibited enhanced microbial community stability and more complex co-occurrence networks. Furthermore, it enriched specific functional pathways, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, which positively correlated with yield stability and antioxidant capacity. Conclusions: Maize drought tolerance is underpinned by the coordinated regulation of plant physiological adaptation and the structural and functional stabilization of the rhizosphere microbiome. These findings offer a theoretical framework for developing breeding strategies that leverage root-microbe interactions to optimize maize yields under water-limited conditions. Full article