Combined Drought and Heat Stress in Rice: Responses, Phenotyping and Strategies to Improve Tolerance

Simultaneous occurrence of drought and heat stress will have significant negative impact on rice yield, especially under upland conditions. The projected increase in global temperatures and reduced precipitation will increase the frequency of occurrence and intensity of these stresses, threatening rice production. Despite recognizing the importance of combined stress in rice, the knowledge generated in this area is very limited. Though complex, understanding combined stress tolerance of rice under water saving cultivation is more critical towards development of climate resilient rice cultivars. Here, we summarized the effects of combined stress on rice physiology with more emphasis on reproductive stage. Omics responses, phenotyping and physiology challenges and potential strategies for improving combined stress tolerance in rice are also discussed.

Automated summary

The simultaneous occurrence of drought and heat stress has a significant negative impact on rice yield, especially under upland conditions. The projected increase in global temperatures and reduced precipitation will increase the frequency and intensity of these stresses, posing a threat to rice production. Understanding the combined stress tolerance of rice under water-saving cultivation is essential for developing climate-resilient rice cultivars.