Abiotic Stress Resistance

Abstract

Abiotic stress resistance has complex genetic and molecular bases. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying stress resistance of rice will accelerate the development of new varieties with enhanced tolerance. The progress in genetic, genomic, and molecular studies of stress resistance in rice is reviewed in this chapter. Drought resistance is regulated by a number of small-effect loci that are largely influenced by genetic background and environment. In contrast, submergence tolerance is controlled by a few master regulators that mediate various acclimation responses. Distinctive mechanisms are involved in the response of rice to other abiotic stresses. Recent functional studies uncovered hundreds of genes and signaling components that control various morphological and physiological responses to different stresses, providing new insight into understanding the complex mechanisms of stress resistance in rice.