Physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying excess moisture stress tolerance in maize: molecular breeding opportunities to increase yield potential.

Abstract Understanding the impact of excess moisture (EM) on maize plants at various growth stages, and studying the phenological, physiological and molecular responses of tolerant maize genotypes towards adaptation to EM stress, could help define ways in which this trait could be improved through targeted breeding. Thus, this chapter discusses the (i) impact of EM stress on maize plants, (ii) phenological adaptations and physiological mechanisms leading to EM stress tolerance in maize, and (iii) molecular signature of EM stress tolerance. Genetic studies on EM stress tolerance in maize are presented, and the application of molecular mreeding for EM tolerance in maize is described.