A review: Heat tolerance aspect in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize is one of the most widely cultivated cereal crops globally and serves as a staple food, feed and industrial raw material. Rising global temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves due to climate change pose a serious threat to maize productivity, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Heat stress adversely affects maize growth, phenology, reproductive development, physiological processes and grain yield. The sensitivity of maize to high temperature is especially pronounced during flowering and grain filling stages. Heat tolerance in maize is a complex trait governed by physiological, biochemical, molecular and genetic mechanisms. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the impact of heat stress on maize, mechanisms of heat tolerance, screening approaches, genetic and molecular strategies and agronomic interventions to enhance heat resilience. Understanding these aspects is essential for developing climate-resilient maize cultivars and ensuring food security under changing climatic scenarios.