Emerging Viral Threats in Rice: A Decade of Discovery and Implications for Crop Protection.

Abstract

Rice viral diseases pose severe threats to global food security, with over 20 viruses identified in China alone. The advent of high-throughput sequencing has accelerated the discovery of novel viruses in cultivated and wild rice, unveiling previously undetected threats. This review systematically summarises newly discovered rice viruses over the past decade, analyzing their genomic characteristics, transmission modes, and pathogenic mechanisms. Key findings include the identification of rice stripe mosaic virus, rice tiller inhibition virus (RTIV), RTIV2 and rice curl dwarf-associated virus, among others, highlighting their interactions with host immunity and insect vectors. Notably, emerging viruses exhibit novel infection strategies, including interference with RNA silencing, hormone signalling, and autophagy pathways. Moreover, mixed infections and cross-species transmission raise concerns about evolving disease dynamics. Understanding these viral threats is crucial for developing integrated disease management strategies, including resistant cultivars and vector control measures. This review provides a comprehensive resource for advancing rice virology research and guiding future efforts in monitoring and mitigating viral diseases affecting global rice production.