Research progresses on rice leaf color mutants

Rice leaf color variation is a morphological phenotype that is valuable in studying plant metabolism and physiology. Besides, the rice leaf color phenotype can also be utilized in the breeding process. Rice plants with color mutations typically have less efficient photosynthesis, which can result in poor growth and yield reduction. Studies of rice leaf color mutants have led to important findings about the metabolic and regulatory mechanisms of pigment synthesis and accumulation, chloroplast biogenesis and differentiation, photosynthesis, stress response, etc. In this mini-review, we summarized the current progress in the identification and study of rice leaf color mutants, and we also discussed on the limitations and perspectives of the current research about these rice leaf color mutants.