Fig. 4

Association of Bx12 locus with DIMBOA-Glc levels and survival rates. a The biosynthetic pathway of benzoxazinoids. Bx12 and other Bx and ZmGLU enzymes are indicated in the pathway. b, c Overview (b) and closer view (c) of the associated SNPs in the region Chr1 66-67 Mb where Bx12 locus was located. d Gene model of Bx12. The CACTA TE located in Bx12 is indicated. e The LDs among the significant SNPs of Bx12. f, g The Bx12 expression levels in the 197 core inbred lines (f) and the DIMBOA-Glc levels in the 385 inbred lines (g) with (TE^+/+) or without (TE^−/−) TE insertion under WW and DS conditions. h Survival rates of the maize inbred lines after drought stress. c Survival rates of maize inbred lines CIMBL55 (55), CIMBL70 (70), CIMBL144 (144) and B73 after drought stress. j, k Survival rates of segregated F₂ plants derived from the cross 55 × 144 (j) or 70 × B73 (k) after drought stress. Error bars: s.e, based on three biological repeats; statistical significance was determined by Student’s t test. l Growth comparison of the HIF plants derived from Zong3 (TE^+/+) × Teosinte (TE^−/−) before (upper panel) and after drought (bottom panel). m Survival rates of HIF plants exposed to drought and re-watered conditions respectively. Error bars, s.e. based on three biological repeats (n = 6); statistical significance was determined by paired t.test. n, o The growth (n) and the survival rate (o) of maize B73 plants after drought-stressed (DS) with or without (CK) DIMBOA treatment. Error bars, s.d. based on 6 biological repeats (n = 24); statistical significance was determined by paired t test.