Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals the impacts of prolonged light exposure on starch and protein content in maize kernels.

Background: The light environment significantly influences crop growth, development, quality, and yield, particularly in controlled-environment agriculture. Recent advances in artificial lighting technology have allowed growers to precisely control the light environment in terms of duration, spectrum, and intensity. Starch and protein are the most significant nutritional constituents of maize kernels.