Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices

Tang, Liqun; Fan, Honghuan; Wang, Junmin; Zhong, Kaizhen; Tan, Hong; Ding, Fuquan; Wang, Ling; Song, Jian; Han, Mingli

doi:10.3390/ijms27073088

Open AccessReview

Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices

by

Liqun Tang

¹,

Honghuan Fan

¹,

Junmin Wang

¹,

Kaizhen Zhong

¹,

Hong Tan

¹,

Fuquan Ding

²,

Ling Wang

²,

Jian Song

^1,*

and

Mingli Han

^2,*

¹

Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China

²

Huzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huzhou 313000, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3088; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073088

Submission received: 2 February 2026 / Revised: 22 March 2026 / Accepted: 24 March 2026 / Published: 28 March 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research on Crop Quality)

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Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain quality is a critical determinant of market value, consumer acceptance, and nutritional security. This multifaceted trait is governed by the dynamic interaction of genotype (G), environment (E), and management practices (M). In this review, we synthesize recent advances in understanding these multifaceted determinants. We first delineate the genetic architecture, emphasizing key genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) such as Wx, ALK, Chalk5, and the GS3/GW families, which control starch composition, gelatinization temperature, chalkiness, and grain dimensions, forming the foundational blueprint for quality potential. We examine how this genetic potential is influenced by environmental factors, focusing on the detrimental impacts of abiotic stresses, particularly high temperatures during grain filling and drought, which impair milling yield, increase chalkiness, and modify starch and protein profiles. Furthermore, we discuss how optimized agronomic strategies—including precision water management (e.g., alternate wetting and drying), balanced nitrogen fertilization, and targeted micronutrient (e.g., silicon) application—can mitigate these adverse effects and potentially improve specific quality parameters. Post-harvest handling is identified as the final determinant of product quality. We conclude that achieving high and stable rice quality under climate variability requires an integrated G × E × M approach. Prospects include next-generation breeding for climate-resilient quality, precision agronomy guided by real-time sensing, synergistic soil health management, and the integration of systems biology with digital agriculture to design sustainable, high-quality rice production systems.

Keywords: rice (Oryza sativa L.); grain quality; genotype-environment-management (G × E × M) interaction; water management; nitrogen fertilization

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MDPI and ACS Style

Tang, L.; Fan, H.; Wang, J.; Zhong, K.; Tan, H.; Ding, F.; Wang, L.; Song, J.; Han, M. Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 3088. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073088

AMA Style

Tang L, Fan H, Wang J, Zhong K, Tan H, Ding F, Wang L, Song J, Han M. Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(7):3088. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073088

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tang, Liqun, Honghuan Fan, Junmin Wang, Kaizhen Zhong, Hong Tan, Fuquan Ding, Ling Wang, Jian Song, and Mingli Han. 2026. "Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 7: 3088. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073088

APA Style

Tang, L., Fan, H., Wang, J., Zhong, K., Tan, H., Ding, F., Wang, L., Song, J., & Han, M. (2026). Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(7), 3088. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073088

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Determinants of Rice Grain Quality: Synergistic Roles of Genetics, Environment, and Agronomic Practices

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