Investigating how reproductive traits in rice respond to abiotic stress.

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important crops and a food source for billions of people. Anthropogenic global warming, soil erosion, and unstable environmental conditions affect both rice vegetative and reproductive growth, and consequently its final yield. The reproductive phase starts with the transition of the apical meristem from the vegetative to the reproductive phase in which it develops into a panicle and proceeds through the differentiation of the floret and, after fertilization, to 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 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 reproductive growth.