Root system architecture (RSA), the spatio-temporal configuration of roots, plays vital roles in maize (Zea mays L.) development and productivity. We sequenced the maize root transcriptome of four key growth and development stages: the 6th leaf stage, the 12th leaf stage, the tasseling stage and the milk-ripe stage. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected. 81 DEGs involved in plant hormone signal transduction pathway and 26 transcription factor (TF) genes were screened. These DEGs and TFs were predicted to be potential candidate genes during maize root growth and development. Several of these genes are homologous to well-known genes regulating root architecture or development in Arabidopsis or rice, such as, Zm00001d005892 (AtERF109), Zm00001d027925 (AtERF73/HRE1), Zm00001d047017 (AtMYC2, OsMYC2), Zm00001d039245 (AtWRKY6). Identification of these key genes will provide a further understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for maize root growth and development, it will be beneficial to increase maize production and improve stress resistance by altering RSA traits in modern breeding.

根系结构 (RSA) 是根的时空结构，在玉米 ( Zea mays L.) 的发育和生产力中起着至关重要的作用。我们对四个关键生长发育阶段的玉米根转录组进行了测序：第 6 叶阶段、第 12 叶阶段、雄蕊阶段和乳熟阶段。检测到差异表达基因（DEGs）。筛选出81个参与植物激素信号转导通路的DEGs和26个转录因子（TF）基因。这些 DEG 和 TF 被预测为玉米根生长和发育过程中的潜在候选基因。其中一些基因与调节拟南芥或水稻中根结构或发育的众所周知的基因同源，例如Zm00001d005892 ( AtERF109), Zm00001d027925 ( AtERF73/HRE1 ), Zm00001d047017 ( AtMYC2, OsMYC2 ), Zm00001d039245 ( AtWRKY6 )。这些关键基因的鉴定将有助于进一步了解玉米根系生长发育的分子机制，有利于通过改变现代育种中的RSA性状来提高玉米产量和提高抗逆性。