Investigating how reproductive traits in rice respond to abiotic stress.

Abstract

Oryza sativa is one of the most important crops and a food source for billions of people. Anthropic global warming, soil erosion, and unstable environmental conditions affect both its vegetative and reproductive growth, and consequently the final yield of its cultivation. The reproductive phase starts with the transition of apical meristem from vegetative to reproductive, which develops into a panicle, proceeds through the differentiation of the floret, and, after fertilization, the filling of the grain. The physiological events that occur during these stages influence the ability of new seeds to respond to stresses during the future seed germination phase, a key step for successful seedling growth and future plant establishment. This review explores the impacts of different abiotic stresses on the physiological and molecular pathways of the reproductive growth.