Genetic dissection of high temperature stress tolerance using photosynthesis parameters in QTL introgressed lines of rice cv. Improved White Ponni

The impact of heat stress in plant reproduction

The increment in global temperature reduces crop productivity, which in turn threatens food security. Currently, most of our food supply is produced by plants and the human population is estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050. Gaining insights into how plants navigate heat stress in their reproductive phase is essential for effectively overseeing the future of agricultural productivity. The reproductive success of numerous plant species can be jeopardized by just one exceptionally hot day. While the effects of heat stress on seedlings germination and root development have been extensively investigated, studies on reproduction are limited. The intricate processes of gamete development and fertilization unfold within a brief timeframe, largely concealed within the flower. Nonetheless, heat stress is known to have important effects on reproduction. Considering that heat stress typically affects both male and female reproductive structures concurrently, it remains crucial to identify cultivars with thermotolerance. In such cultivars, ovules and pollen can successfully undergo development despite the challenges posed by heat stress, enabling the completion of the fertilization process and resulting in a robust seed yield. Hereby, we review the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying plant resistance to abiotic heat stress, focusing on the reproductive process in the model systems of Arabidopsis and Oryza sativa.

Physiological and molecular implications of multiple abiotic stresses on yield and quality of rice

Abiotic stresses adversely affect rice yield and productivity, especially under the changing climatic scenario. Exposure to multiple abiotic stresses acting together aggravates these effects. The projected increase in global temperatures, rainfall variability, and salinity will increase the frequency and intensity of multiple abiotic stresses. These abiotic stresses affect paddy physiology and deteriorate grain quality, especially milling quality and cooking characteristics. Understanding the molecular and physiological mechanisms behind grain quality reduction under multiple abiotic stresses is needed to breed cultivars that can tolerate multiple abiotic stresses. This review summarizes the combined effect of various stresses on rice physiology, focusing on grain quality parameters and yield traits, and discusses strategies for improving grain quality parameters using high-throughput phenotyping with omics approaches.

Can omics deliver temperature resilient ready-to-grow crops?

Plants are extensively well-thought-out as the main source for nourishing natural life on earth. In the natural environment, plants have to face several stresses, mainly heat stress (HS), chilling stress (CS) and freezing stress (FS) due to adverse climate fluctuations. These stresses are considered as a major threat for sustainable agriculture by hindering plant growth and development, causing damage, ultimately leading to yield losses worldwide and counteracting to achieve the goal of "zero hunger" proposed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Notably, this is primarily because of the numerous inequities happening at the cellular, molecular and/or physiological levels, especially during plant developmental stages under temperature stress. Plants counter to temperature stress via a complex phenomenon including variations at different developmental stages that comprise modifications in physiological and biochemical processes, gene expression and differences in the levels of metabolites and proteins. During the last decade, omics approaches have revolutionized how plant biologists explore stress-responsive mechanisms and pathways, driven by current scientific developments. However, investigations are still required to explore numerous features of temperature stress responses in plants to create a complete idea in the arena of stress signaling. Therefore, this review highlights the recent advances in the utilization of omics approaches to understand stress adaptation and tolerance mechanisms. Additionally, how to overcome persisting knowledge gaps. Shortly, the combination of integrated omics, genome editing, and speed breeding can revolutionize modern agricultural production to feed millions worldwide in order to accomplish the goal of "zero hunger."