Progress on Molecular Mechanism of Heat Tolerance in Rice

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a major food crop in China, and its high and stable yield is crucial for ensuring food security in the country. However, over the past few years, extreme weather events induced by global climate change have impacted rice growth. For example, the effects of heat stress on rice quality and yield have been significant. Therefore, it is fundamental to conduct in-depth research on the heat-tolerance mechanisms of rice and to cultivate superior new thermotolerant rice varieties. This review summarizes the adverse effects of high temperatures on rice growth at various stages, the heat-tolerance mechanisms in rice, and the heat-tolerance genes and QTLs that have been identified in recent years. We also discuss strategies to enhance the heat tolerance of rice, offering new insights for rice breeding research.