Advancing Stress-Resilient Rice: Mechanisms, Genes, and Breeding Strategies

Sining Wang, Yao Yao, Jing Wang, Banpu Ruan () and Yanchun Yu ()
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Sining Wang: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
Yao Yao: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
Jing Wang: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
Banpu Ruan: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
Yanchun Yu: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-37

Abstract: Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) serves as a staple food for over half the global population, but its cultivation faces significant challenges from abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and heavy metal toxicity. These stresses adversely impact rice growth, yield, and quality, posing a threat to global food security. This review comprehensively explores the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of rice to abiotic stresses, highlighting key functional genes and signaling pathways. Advanced breeding strategies, including molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS), genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, offer innovative solutions for enhancing stress tolerance. Integrated approaches combining traditional breeding, modern molecular techniques, and exogenous applications such as plant hormones and beneficial microorganisms are discussed. These methods aim to develop rice varieties resilient to multiple stresses, ensuring sustainable production. Future prospects emphasize the integration of multi-omics technologies and the establishment of stress-resistant germplasm banks to accelerate breeding programs. This review provides some support for the development of stress-tolerant rice varieties to help address agricultural challenges in the context of climate change.

Keywords: rice; abiotic stress; drought tolerance; salinity resistance; temperature stress; heavy metal stress; molecular breeding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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