Molecular Plant Breeding 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 165-179 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/mpb 175 9 Concluding Remarks The study on the molecular mechanisms of rice drought resistance genes and their prospects in breeding has highlighted several critical aspects. Drought stress significantly impacts rice production, particularly in rainfed regions, necessitating the development of drought-resistant varieties. Traditional breeding methods, while useful, are often slow and resource-intensive due to the low heritability of yield under stress and environmental variability. Advances in molecular genetics, such as the identification of QTLs and the use of MAS have provided new avenues for improving drought resistance in rice. Transgenic approaches have also shown considerable potential. Overexpression of specific genes like OsERF71 and the knockout of genes such as OsNAC092, have shown promise in enhancing drought tolerance by modulating various physiological and biochemical pathways. Additionally, GWAS and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) have been instrumental in identifying key genetic loci and hub genes associated with drought resistance. Future research should focus on integrating traditional breeding methods with modern biotechnological tools to develop rice varieties with enhanced drought resistance. This includes the continued identification and characterization of drought-responsive genes and QTLs, as well as the development of robust molecular markers for MAS. Advanced phenotyping techniques, such as image-based traits (i-traits), can provide more accurate and high-throughput assessments of drought responses, facilitating the identification of novel drought resistance genes. Moreover, the application of multi-omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, can offer comprehensive insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance. Collaborative efforts between molecular geneticists, plant physiologists, and breeders are essential to translate these findings into practical breeding programs. The integration of molecular genetics and traditional breeding methods holds great promise for developing drought-resistant rice varieties. Identification of key genetic loci and the use of transgenic approaches have provided valuable insights into the complex mechanisms of drought tolerance. Continued research and collaboration are crucial to harness these advancements and improve rice production in drought-prone regions. The prospects for breeding drought-resistant rice are promising, with the considerable potential to significantly enhance food security and agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change. Acknowledgments We extend our sincere thanks to two anonymous peer reviewers for their feedback on the manuscript. Funding This work was supported by the grants from the Central Leading Local Science and Technology Development Project (grant no. 202207AA110010) and the Key and Major Science and Technology Projects of Yunnan (grant nos. 202202AE09002102, 202402AE090026-04). Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Ahn H., Jung I., Shin S.J., Park J., Rhee S., Kim J.K., Jung W., Kwon H.B., and Kim S., 2017, Transcriptional network analysis reveals drought resistance mechanisms of AP2/ERF transgenic rice, Frontiers in Plant Science, 8: 1044. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01044 Babu R.C., Nguyen B.D., Chamarerk V., Shanmugasundaram P., Chezhian P., Jeyaprakash P., Ganesh S.K., Palchamy A., Sadasivam S., Sarkarung S., Wade L.J., and Nguyen H.T., 2003, Genetic analysis of drought resistance in rice by molecular markers: association between secondary traits and field performance, Crop Science, 43(4): 1457-1469. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2003.1457 Bernier J., Kumar A., Ramaiah V., Spaner D., and Atlin G., 2007, A large-effect QTL for grain yield under reproductive-stage drought stress in upland rice, Crop Science, 47(2): 507-516. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2006.07.0495 Chen Q., Tao S., Bi X., Xu X., Wang L., and Li X., 2013, Research progress in physiological and molecular biology mechanism of drought resistance in rice, American Journal of Molecular Biology, 3(2): 102-107. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajmb.2013.32014 Cominelli E., Galbiati M., Vavasseur A., Conti L., Sala T., Vuylsteke M., Leonhardt N., Dellaporta S.L., and Tonelli C., 2005, A guard-cell-specific MYB transcription factor regulates stomatal movements and plant drought tolerance, Current Biology, 15(13): 1196-1200.
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