Submit to Plants Review for Plants Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Plant Organ Development and Stress Response

Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A Special Issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747) belonging to the section "Plant Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 20901

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Dr. Tian Pan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311400, China
Interests: genetics and molecular biology; plant cell protein transport; plant abiotic stress response
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Maohong Cai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Life and Environmental Science, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
Interests: molecular genetics; regulatory network; plant stress tolerance; molecular improvement of crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yuanyuan Hao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Crop and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Interests: genetic improvement and breeding application of rice quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mingming Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute of Crop and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
Interests: rice grain filling; rice quality improvement; diurnal flower opening time of rice
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Plants delves into the fundamental molecular pathways governing plant growth, organ development, and adaptive responses to environmental stressors. As plants are sessile organisms, they must continuously integrate internal developmental programs with external signals to survive and thrive. This Special Issue focuses on the molecular underpinnings of these processes, highlighting the latest advancements and emerging trends in this dynamic field. Plant organs, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits or grains, undergo complex developmental processes that are finely tuned to environmental cues. Understanding these processes is crucial for improving crop resilience and productivity in the face of increasing environmental challenges such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes.

Recent advances in genomics, proteomics, and molecular biology have provided unprecedented insights into the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying plant organ development and stress response. This Special Issue aims to combine a comprehensive collection of research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address key questions in this area. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the roles of phytohormones, transcription factors, and signaling molecules in coordinating organogenesis and stress tolerance; the interplay between environmental stimuli—such as drought, salinity, temperature extremes, and pathogen attacks—and their impact on developmental trajectories; and the molecular basis of stress tolerance and adaptation. This Special Issue will also explore the application of cutting-edge technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and high-throughput phenotyping, in studying plant development and stress response.

By providing a platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research and innovative ideas, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration and accelerate the development of strategies for enhancing plant resilience and sustainability in a changing world.

Dr. Tian Pan
Dr. Maohong Cai
Dr. Yuanyuan Hao
Dr. Mingming Wu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plant growth
organ development
stress response
molecular mechanisms
envi-ronmental stress

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (12 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 3478 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Corn Straw Returning Patterns on Soil Bacterial Community Structure in Soybean Under a Corn-Soybean Rotation System

by Xiaohui Wang, Demin Rao, Debin Yu, Tong Cheng, Jing Zhao, Minghao Zhang, Fangang Meng and Wei Zhang

Plants 2026, 15(7), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15070990 - 24 Mar 2026

Viewed by 637

Abstract

Straw returning is an effective means of improving soil structure and increasing soil organic matter content. However, few studies have been conducted on the effects of corn straw returning on the soil microorganism community in soybean crops. In this paper, taking conventional combined tillage (CT) as a control, the effects of no-tillage with straw mulching (NTS), no-tillage with stubble retention (NT), and deep plowing with straw incorporation (DT) on soil bacterial community under a corn–soybean rotation system were studied. The results showed that the contents of soil total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, the activities of soil urease and acid phosphatase, and soil bacterial richness and diversity in the NTS treatment were significantly higher than those in other treatments. Moreover, the NTS treatment increased the abundance of Acidobacteriota and MND1 (unclassified bacterial genus) in the soil. The number of unique OTUs in the NTS treatment was the greatest (26.67%), with that of the CT treatment being the smallest (7.22%). Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that soil total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus are the key driving changes in bacterial community. Consequently, NTS treatment was the optimal approach for both soil fertility improvement and bacterial community optimization. This approach combines straw mulching and no-tillage, which not only exerts the nutrient supply effect of straw but also reduces the impact of soil disturbance on microbial habitats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2359 KB

Open AccessArticle

Improved Cultivars and the Application of Combined Fertilizer Improve the Grain Yield and the Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization in Continuously Cropped Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

by Wenbo Liu, Demin Rao, Futi Xie, Haiying Wang and Xingdong Yao

Plants 2026, 15(5), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15050845 - 9 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 618

Abstract

In recent years, continuous cropping has become a major constraint on soybean production in China, and thus, researching methods to improve soybean yield under this cropping pattern has become a research hotspot. This study aimed to explore whether cultivar improvement and different fertilization regimes could enhance the nutrient uptake and resource utilization of continuously cropped soybean, thereby elevating its yield potential. A total of 11 soybean cultivars were subjected to different fertilization treatments, with the leaf area index (LAI), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), radiation use efficiency (RUE), dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate (CGR), nitrogen content (NC), grain yield, yield components, and harvest index (HI) analyzed. Compared with early cultivars, current cultivars increased LAI, Pn, CGR, RUE, NC, dry matter accumulation, grains per plant, 100-seed weight, HI, and grain yield by 26.22%, 10.07%, 34.13%, 22.65%, 20.43%, 29.44%, 30.09%, 9.80%, 13.69%, and 15.88%, respectively, while decreasing the nitrogen requirement per 100 g grain by 20.08%. Similarly, compared with unfertilized plants, fertilized plants increased these indices by 23.93%, 14.08%, 53.38%, 39.01%, 29.53%, 42.49%, 16.95%, 23.35%, 10.49%, and 26.50%, respectively, while decreasing the nitrogen requirement per 100 g grain by 14.40%, with the highest yield observed by the 2006-era cultivar (Dennison) fed compound fertilizer. In conclusion, cultivar improvement and fertilization can improve the yield potential of continuously cropped soybean by enhancing light energy and optimizing nitrogen accumulation and consumption, and future research should focus more on breeding to further tap the production potential of continuously cropped soybean. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3511 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification, Characterization, Expression Analysis, and Interacting Protein Prediction of the GSK3/Shaggy-like Gene Family in Watermelon

by Peng Tian, Jingjing Zhang, Bowen Liu, Xiurui Gao, Bing Li, Wei Liu and Yanrong Wu

Plants 2026, 15(3), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030484 - 4 Feb 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1396

Abstract

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3/Shaggy-like) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that orchestrates growth, hormone signaling, and abiotic stress responses in both animals and plants, yet its role in watermelon remains unexplored. In this study, we conducted a whole-genome identification, identifying a total of eight members of the GSK3 gene family (ClGSK3) distributed across seven chromosomes. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses resolved the eight ClGSK3s into four subfamilies that display one-to-one or one-to-many orthology with Arabidopsis and rice GSK3 genes, indicating conserved genomic micro-collinearity across dicots and monocots. Predictions of cis-acting elements and transcriptome data analysis indicate that ClGSK3s may be involved in hormone- and stress-responsive conditions. Protein–protein interaction networks predicted 53 candidate partners for five ClGSK3 proteins; yeast two-hybrid assays subsequently confirmed that ClSK21 associates with three of them—orthologs of the core brassinosteroid (BR)-signaling components BKI1 and BZR1. qRT-PCR revealed that ClSK21, ClSK31, and ClSK41 are rapidly and significantly reprogrammed by BR treatment. Collectively, our data suggest that ClGSK3s modulate fruit development and stress tolerance by integrating hormone-related pathways, especially BR signaling. Future studies are encouraged to integrate genetics and multi-omics approaches to systematically validate the roles of ClGSK3s in hormone signaling and abiotic stress responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 2358 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ecotypic Variation in Photosynthesis, Stomatal Conductance, and Water Use Efficiency of Illicium lanceolatum in Response to Light Intensity Under Drought and Recovery

by Yonghui Cao and Benzhi Zhou

Plants 2026, 15(3), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030407 - 29 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1307

Abstract

Increasingly frequent extreme droughts threaten forest vegetation and highlight the need to identify drought-tolerant germplasm. To support conservation and cultivation of Illicium lanceolatum, we investigated ecotypic differences in photosynthetic responses to short-term drought and rewatering under varying light intensity. One-year-old seedlings from four I. lanceolatum ecotypes originating from the Zhejiang (Lin’an, LA; Kaihua, KH), Jiangxi (Wu’ning, WN), and Fujian (Nan’ping, NP) provinces in China were subjected to drought stress by withholding irrigation and subsequent rewatering. Photosynthesis–light response curves were measured before drought; 2, 4, and 7 days after the last watering; and following rewatering. Short-term drought significantly affected photosynthetic traits in an ecotype-dependent manner. Maximum net photosynthetic rate, light saturation point, light compensation point, and apparent quantum yield increased during drought, indicating enhanced utilization of both high and low light. After rewatering, stomatal conductance increased significantly in the WN and KH ecotypes but declined in the NP ecotype when compared with those under the initial water supply. Instantaneous water use efficiency (A/E) recovered rapidly in all ecotypes and exceeded pre-drought levels. Under light intensity above 1500 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹, stomatal conductance exhibited a significant nonlinear relationship with water use efficiency. Overall, these physiological responses indicate that I. lanceolatum is moderately drought-tolerant and exhibits mild sensitivity to soil water variation. The WN and KH ecotypes showed superior improvement in water use efficiency under drought and high light, suggesting their potential for breeding drought-resistant cultivars and for afforestation in drought-prone environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4383 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Temperature on the Phenotypic Plasticity of the Invasive Perennial Weed Ambrosia confertiflora

by Yifat Yair, Moshe Sibony, Yaakov Goldwasser, Hanan Eizenberg and Baruch Rubin

Plants 2026, 15(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15020214 - 9 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1167

Abstract

The invasive perennial weed Ambrosia confertiflora (Burr ragweed) is widespread across various climatic regions in Israel and neighboring countries. This study examines how temperature affects the development of the plants’ aboveground and underground organs, as well as biomass allocation. We hypothesize that temperature influences how the plant distributes resources, thereby modifying its phenotypic morphology and contributing to its spread. Plants were grown in a phytotron under four seasonal temperature regimes (10–16 °C, 16–22 °C, 22–28 °C, 28–34 °C, N-D, 14 h light). We measured above- and belowground biomass, growth form, leaf size, and the interaction between temperature and apical dominance. Our results show that biomass allocation varies with temperature and developmental stage. During early growth, resources are primarily directed toward shoot development and leaf production. As plants matured, they shifted more resources to underground structures, eventually balancing allocation. At lower temperatures, plants invested more in underground growth while the shoot remained in the rosette form. In contrast, higher temperatures favored aboveground growth. Ambrosia confertiflora demonstrates significant phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature variation, affecting plant height, leaf morphology, and resource allocation in both shoot and underground tissues. Understanding how temperature drives these changes is critical to understanding the spread and ecological impact of this highly adaptable weed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6990 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Physiological and Transcriptomic Characterisation of Two Japonica Rice Cultivars Under Low Nitrogen Stress

by Yu Zou, Yi Ren, Shuxin Jiang, Xinchun Zhan, Peijiang Zhang, Shaojie Song and Ending Xu

Plants 2025, 14(24), 3836; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243836 - 16 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of rice. However, excessive N fertiliser application and low N Use Efficiency (NUE) have led to serious environmental problems and threatened agricultural sustainability. In this study, we compared the physiological and transcriptomic profiles of roots of two cultivars exposed to normal nitrogen (NN) and low nitrogen (LN). The results showed that the LN treatment suppressed root growth and severely affected enzymatic activities in the roots of both rice cultivars compared to the NN treatment. Moreover, HJ753 exhibited significantly higher activities of NITRATE REDUCTASE (NR) and GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE (GS) in its roots than DJ8 under both LN and NN conditions. Transcriptomic analysis identified 23,205 genes across all samples, with more than 5000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) detected in response to LN stress in both cultivars. The KEGG analysis revealed that the DEGs were primarily involved in DNA replication, tryptophan metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and N metabolism. Under LN stress, most genes associated with tryptophan metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways remained stable or were upregulated in both cultivars. In contrast, genes related to auxin signalling transduction, N metabolism, and N utilisation exhibited significant genotype-specific expression patterns between HJ753 and DJ8. In conclusion, this study elucidated the genotypic differences in root development and N response mechanisms under LN stress at the molecular level, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of N efficiency that may be used to develop and support the breeding of N-efficient rice cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 6919 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of a Leaf Cuticular Wax Biosynthesis Gene BrCER2 in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis)

by Yunshuai Huang, Xiaoyu Bai, Wenlong Ying, Yanbing Wang, Chaofeng Yang, Mujun Huang, Liai Xu, Huihui Fang, Jianguo Wu and Yunxiang Zang

Plants 2025, 14(24), 3831; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14243831 - 16 Dec 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 838

Abstract

Glossy appearance is a critical trait that affects the appearance quality and marketability of leafy vegetables, including Chinese cabbage. The glossy trait is primarily associated with cuticular wax. Although several genes involved in cuticular wax biosynthesis have been characterized in Chinese cabbage, the regulatory relationships among them remain unclear. In this study, we identified a glossy mutant, glossy leaf4 (gl4), and cuticular wax crystals in the gl4 mutant were obviously reduced. Genetic analysis indicated that the glossy phenotype in the gl4 mutant appears to be controlled by a single recessive gene. Using a bulked segregant analysis coupled with next-generation sequencing (BSA-seq) and map-based cloning methods, the AtCER2 homologous gene BrCER2 was identified as the candidate gene. BrCER2 was expressed in various tissues, and BrCER2-GFP was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Furthermore, BrCER2 could interact with BrKCS6 in the ER, and the expression levels of some wax biosynthesis-related genes were decreased in the gl4 mutant. Our overall results provide insights about the role of BrCER2 in wax biosynthesis through ER localization and interaction with BrKCS6 in Chinese cabbage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 3234 KB

Open AccessArticle

Transcription Factor BnaC04.MYB89 Negatively Regulates Seed Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Brassica napus

by Dong Li, Xumin Wang, Yujiao Song, Jianchao Sun, Shuhan Yu, Bowei Zhu, Xin Liu, Guodong Zhao, Tongsheng Zhao, Limin Wang, Yuting Sheng and Hongxia Zhang

Plants 2025, 14(22), 3495; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223495 - 16 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1304

Abstract

Seed oil content and fatty acid (FA) composition collectively determine the quality and economic value of Brassica napus. Little is known about the role of R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) in regulating FA biosynthesis in B. napus. Here, BnaC04.MYB89 was found to be expressed primarily in developing seeds. Overexpression of BnaC04.MYB89 consistently decreased FA levels, as evidenced by its effect in both the Arabidopsis thaliana myb89-1 mutant and B. napus seeds. RNA-seq of developing seeds at 30 DAP (days after pollination) revealed marked suppression of FA biosynthetic genes in BnaC04.MYB89-overexpressing plants compared to the K407 control. ChIP (Chromatin immunoprecipitation) analysis revealed that BnaC04.MYB89 directly inhibited the expression of BnaA03.BCCP1 and BnaC03.HD while indirectly regulating that of BnaA09.BADC1, BnaA03.BADC3, BnaA03.MOD1, and BnaA08.FAT8, thereby reducing seed FA accumulation. Collectively, these results elucidate the role for BnaC04.MYB89 and provide new insights into the transcriptional regulatory network controlling seed oil accumulation in B. napus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2281 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Responses of Physiology and Rhizosphere Microbiome to Saline–Alkaline Stress in Soybean Seedlings with Different Tolerances

by Bikun Wang, Fangang Meng, Tong Cheng, Jiarui Niu, Demin Rao, Zhe Han, Wei Zhang and Zhian Zhang

Plants 2025, 14(22), 3480; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223480 - 14 Nov 2025

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1889

Abstract

Soil salinization severely threatens global crop production. Understanding the relationship between crop saline–alkaline tolerance physiology and the rhizosphere microbiome, and leveraging beneficial microorganisms to enhance crop stress resistance, holds importance for sustainable agricultural development. This study investigated the physiological and rhizosphere microbial responses of two soybean cultivars with different saline–alkaline tolerance to stress. Under saline–alkaline conditions, the tolerant cultivar exhibited superior physiological performance, including higher chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT), alongside reduced oxidative damage (MDA) and greater biomass accumulation. Combined metagenomic and physiological analyses revealed significant correlations of Bradyrhizobium and Solirubrobacter with key physiological indicators, including dry weight, PI_ABS, φ_po, and MDA. The tolerant cultivar selectively enriched distinct marker microbes, such as Bradyrhizobium sp. and Bradyrhizobium liaoningense, in its rhizosphere. We conclude that the tolerant cultivar exhibits strong intrinsic physiological resistance. This resistance is further enhanced by a beneficially assembled rhizosphere microbiome, while the host plant’s physiology remains the dominant factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 1492 KB

Open AccessReview

Physiological Responses, Molecular Basis, and Integrated Regulation of Heat Tolerance in Soybean

by Haoyang Geng, Yiting Xin, Hongmiao Jin, Zhifu Zheng, Tian Pan and Zhaoqiong Zeng

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111758 - 5 Jun 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 871

Abstract

Global warming has led to frequent occurrences of extreme heat, posing a huge threat to soybean (Glycine max L.) yield. As a major source of plant protein and oil, soybean is particularly sensitive to heat stress during its growth and development, especially in critical stages such as flowering and seed filling. Heat tolerance in crops is a complex trait governed by polygenic networks and environmental interactions; although existing studies have identified several heat-tolerance-related genes, the molecular regulatory networks regulating crop responses to heat stress remain elusive. This review synthesizes recent advances in soybean heat tolerance research, with a particular emphasis on physiological responses and molecular regulatory mechanisms under heat stress. We further evaluate the potential of modern technologies, including gene editing, marker-assisted selection, and pan-genomics, for the precise improvement of heat tolerance in soybean. Additionally, we outline sustainable agronomic practices and field management strategies to mitigate heat stress. The development of heat-tolerant soybean varieties depends not only on the identification of superior alleles but also requires a shift from gene-centric genetic improvement toward a system-wide solution that integrates “Genotype × Environment × Management”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1172 KB

Open AccessReview

Genetic and Molecular Basis for Heat Tolerance in Rice: Strategies for Resilience Under Climate Change

by Wei Zhang, Liang Zhou and Dewen Zhang

Plants 2025, 14(22), 3492; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14223492 - 16 Nov 2025

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3245

Abstract

Heat stress has emerged as a significant abiotic constraint affecting rice yield and grain quality. In recent years, substantial advancements have been achieved in elucidating molecular regulatory mechanisms and breeding applications pertinent to rice heat tolerance. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the fundamental regulatory pathways involved in rice responses to heat stress, encompassing membrane lipid homeostasis, heat signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, RNA stability and translation, epigenetic modifications, hormone signaling, antioxidant defense, and the protection of reproductive organs. Particular emphasis is placed on the functional mechanisms and breeding potential of pivotal thermotolerance-associated genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs), such as TT1, TT3, and QT12. Additionally, we summarize recent applications of cutting-edge technologies in the enhancement of heat-tolerant rice varieties, including multi-omics integration, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, marker-assisted selection (MAS), and rational design breeding. Finally, we address current challenges, including integrating regulatory mechanisms, developing realistic heat simulation systems, validating the functionality of candidate genes, and managing trait trade-offs. This review provides a theoretical foundation for developing heat-tolerant rice cultivars and offers valuable insights to accelerate the breeding of climate-resilient rice varieties for sustainable production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1637 KB

Open AccessReview

Rice Heat Stress Response: Physiological Changes and Molecular Regulatory Network Research Progress

by Weiwei Ma, Xiaole Wang, Chuanwei Gu, Zhengfei Lu, Rongrong Ma, Xiaoyan Wang, Yongfa Lu, Kefeng Cai, Zhiming Tang, Zhuoqi Zhou, Zhixin Chen, Huacheng Zhou and Xiuhao Bao

Plants 2025, 14(16), 2573; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14162573 - 19 Aug 2025

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5322

Abstract

Global climate change has markedly increased the frequency of heat stress events in rice, severely threatening both yield and grain quality and posing a substantial challenge to global food security. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying heat tolerance in rice is therefore essential to facilitate the breeding of thermotolerant cultivars. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the effects of heat stress on rice agronomic traits across various developmental stages. We summarize key physiological and metabolic alterations induced by high temperatures and discuss recent advances in unraveling the molecular regulatory networks involved in heat stress responses. By integrating findings from gene cloning, functional genomics, and advanced breeding strategies, this review outlines practical approaches for improving rice heat tolerance and identifies critical knowledge gaps that warrant further investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Organ Development and Stress Response)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Plant Organ Development and Stress Response

Share This Special Issue

Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (12 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI