Molecular and genetic basis of response and adaptation to abiotic stresses in rapeseed

Abstract

Global climate change aggravates the irreversible damage of abiotic stresses on crop growth and development, leading to substantial yield losses. As a major global source of edible vegetable oil, rapeseed is profoundly impacted by various abiotic stresses, including drought, salt, waterlogging, heat and cold, which result in reduction of productivity. In recent years, the integration of genetic and molecular biological approaches with multi-omics technologies has enabled preliminary advances in uncovering key genes and elucidating the regulatory mechanisms involved in adaptation to environmental stresses in rapeseed. Herein, we systematically summarize the molecular mechanisms and gene regulatory networks governing the responses to diverse abiotic stresses in rapeseed. Consequently, we discuss effective molecular breeding strategies for climate-resilient crop improvement and outline challenges for future research.