Facilitating Maize Seed Germination Under Heat Stress via Exogenous Melatonin.

Seed germination is a critical phase during which plants are particularly sensitive to environmental stresses, especially heat stress, due to the high metabolic and physiological activities required for initial growth. Melatonin (MT), a key antioxidant, is crucial for assisting plants in managing abiotic stresses. While the impact of melatonin on heat stress has been explored in other developmental stages or species, this is the first study to specifically focus on its role during maize seed germination under heat stress.