The equilibrium between sugars and ethylene is involved in shading- and drought-induced kernel abortion in maize

Shading and drought stresses during the flowering stage of maize (Zea mays L.) production cause seed losses, making them two of the major limitations to yield output. The mechanisms by which the two stresses reduce seed numbers are still unclear. Here, different durations of shading and different degrees of drought were applied, accompanied by synchronous pollination, and the early development of fertilized apical kernels was suppressed, with decreases in sucrose and hexose levels and the promotion of ethylene emission. Consequently, the two distinct stresses led to a common consequence: up to 20–30% of the fertilized kernels were aborted at maturity, which accounted for the yield losses under both scenarios. Notably, by removing the shading net or the preventing pollination of the basal kernels, the apical kernels, were partial or fully restored from abortion, with an increased sugar status and suppressed ethylene emission, even under stress conditions. We found that dry matter accumulation within the early stage was positively correlated with sucrose and hexose contents but negatively correlated with ethylene emission. By altering the sugar status within developing kernels, we verified the antagonistic relationships between endogenous ethylene emission and soluble sugars, including sucrose and hexoses. Collectively, these findings suggest that the equilibrium between sugars and ethylene may determine the development or abortion of early developing kernels exposed to environmental stresses.