Molecular tools, potential frontiers for enhancing salinity tolerance in rice: A critical review and future prospective

Abstract

Improvement of salinity tolerance in rice can minimize the stress-induced yield losses. Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of Asia’s most widely consumed crops, native to the subtropical regions, and is generally associated with sensitivity to salinity stress episodes. Salt-tolerant rice genotypes have been developed using conventional breeding methods; however, the success ratio is limited because of the complex nature of the trait and the high cost of development. The narrow genetic base of rice limited the success of conventional breeding methods. Hence, it is critical to launch the molecular tools for screening rice novel germplasm for salt-tolerant genes. In this regard, the latest molecular techniques like quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, genetic engineering (GE), transcription factors (TFs) analysis, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are reliable for incorporating the salt tolerance in rice at the molecular level. Large-scale use of these potent genetic approaches leads to identifying and editing several genes/alleles, and QTL/genes are accountable for holding the genetic mechanism of salinity tolerance in rice. Continuous breeding practices resulted in a huge decline in rice genetic diversity, which is a great worry for global food security. However, molecular breeding tools are the only way to conserve genetic diversity by exploring wild germplasm for desired genes in salt tolerance breeding programs. In this review, we have compiled the logical evidences of successful applications of potent molecular tools for boosting salinity tolerance in rice, their limitations, and future prospects. This well-organized information would assist future researchers in understanding the genetic improvement of salinity tolerance in rice.

Transcriptome-Based Comparative Analysis of Transcription Factors in Response to NaCl, NaOH, and Na2CO3 Stresses in Roots of Autotetraploid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

“…TFs play a vital role in the development of stress tolerance in rice, and their expression is often initiated by stress factors [34]. TFs are often expressed in roots after exposure to salinity stress [35]. So far, studies on the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in rice have mostly focused on saline tolerance, but have rarely discussed the difference between saline tolerance and alkali tolerance.…”

Seeds of Cross-Sector Collaboration: A Multi-Agent Evolutionary Game Theoretical Framework Illustrated by the Breeding of Salt-Tolerant Rice

“…This system strengthens deep cooperation between stakeholders, thereby advancing the research, development, and application of seawater rice technology. In recent years, scholars have conducted extensive research on breeding technologies for saline-alkaline tolerant rice, showing that a combination of multiple breeding techniques is more efficient [5][6][7][8][9][10]. However, the absence of a collaborative innovation mechanism for breeding saline-alkaline tolerant rice has significantly hindered its development.…”

Effects of exogenous brassinolide and AM fungi on growth, photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme system of Leymus chinensis under salt and alkali stress

“…Soil salinity is a serious threat to crop productivity and its extent is continuously increasing due to anthropogenic activity. The extent of salt affected soils is increasing at the rate of 4×10 4 hectares per year which is a serious threat and needs dire attention (Rasheed et al, 2022a;Rasheed et al, 2022b). The excess of salts in soil rhizosphere induces the adverse impacts on plant growth, development and physiological and biochemical processes (Hussain et al, 2019).…”