Reducing Cold Stress in Rice: Genotype Performance and Best Sowing Times

Jim Crocker
27th July, 2024

Reducing Cold Stress in Rice: Genotype Performance and Best Sowing Times

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study in Egypt found that low temperatures during rice's reproductive phase delay maturation, shorten panicle length, and reduce spikelet fertility, leading to significant yield losses
  • Some rice varieties are more sensitive to cold stress than others, with Sakha104 recommended for both early and regular cultivation due to its resilience
  • The study suggests Giza176, Sakha104, and Sakha107 for early planting, and Giza179, Sakha101, Sakha104, and GZ 9730-1-1-1-1 for normal planting periods to maintain productivity
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for half of the global population and plays a crucial role in maintaining global food security. Climate change, increasing population, and the financial burdens exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic have posed significant challenges to rice cultivation. Frequent weather changes disrupt agricultural planning, which once relied on consistent seasonal variations. Low temperatures, particularly below 18°C, are especially detrimental to rice, inhibiting its development and productivity. The Agricultural Research Center conducted a study to address these challenges by investigating the effect of low temperatures on different rice varieties, aiming to identify genotypes that can tolerate cold while maintaining good yield potential[1]. The study focused on evaluating thirty-four genotypes over two growing seasons (2018–2019) with four different sowing times. The findings indicated that low temperatures during the reproductive phase of rice prolong the maturation period, reduce panicle length, and decrease spikelet fertility, leading to significant yield losses in sensitive varieties. Notably, some varieties demonstrated greater sensitivity to cold stress than others. In Egypt, the study recommended Giza176, Sakha104, and Sakha107 for early cultivation, while Giza 179, Sakha101, Sakha104, and GZ 9730-1-1-1-1 were suitable for normal cultivation periods. Sakha104 stood out as it was recommended for both early and regular cultivation. This study builds on previous research that has explored various stress factors affecting rice productivity. For instance, drought is another critical factor limiting rice productivity, particularly in rainfed areas of Asia. Previous research has shown that direct selection for grain yield under drought conditions has led to the development of high-yielding drought-tolerant rice varieties[2]. Moreover, the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with drought tolerance has been instrumental in improving the yield of popular rice varieties through marker-assisted breeding[2]. Similarly, research on cold tolerance in rice has identified genetic variations that contribute to better germination and seedling establishment under low temperatures[3]. Japanese rice accessions, for example, have been evaluated for their performance under cold stress, leading to the identification of genotypes that exhibit smaller reductions in coleoptile and radicle length under cold conditions[3]. The current study by the Agricultural Research Center expands on these findings by providing valuable insights into the resilience of rice cultivation in the face of climate change. By identifying cold-tolerant genotypes suitable for both early and regular cultivation, the study offers practical solutions for maintaining rice productivity despite fluctuating temperatures. The data also provide crucial information for selecting rice varieties suitable for double cropping in the North Delta of Egypt, further contributing to food security. In summary, the study highlights the importance of developing rice varieties that can withstand low temperatures while maintaining high yield potential. By incorporating findings from previous research on drought and cold tolerance, the study underscores the complex genetic factors that influence rice productivity and offers a pathway for future breeding efforts to enhance rice resilience against climate change.

AgricultureGeneticsPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Mitigating cold stress in rice: a study of genotype performance and sowing time

Published 26th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05423-8

Related Studies

2) Breeding high-yielding drought-tolerant rice: genetic variations and conventional and molecular approaches.

https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eru363

3) Genetic variation of germination cold tolerance in Japanese rice germplasm.

https://doi.org/10.1270/jsbbs.62.209


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