Experts Pinpoint Rice Proteins Vital in Drought Stress Tolerance and Yield

A study, conducted by researchers at Yuxi Normal University and partners in China, investigated the role of a rice protein (OsbZIP35) in response to stress, particularly drought. The preprint of their findings is available in Research Square.

The research team developed rice plants lacking the OsbZIP35 protein, which were found to be more susceptible to drought at all growth stages. The knockout mutants also showed lower germination rates, weaker growth, and more harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, they found another protein, OsSAPK3, which can modify OsbZIP35, and both are involved in the plant's response to drought stress through abscisic acid signaling.

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that OsbZIP35 is important for rice plant's drought tolerance and yield. It regulates the plant's response to stress, including ROS production and signaling pathways.  The results could be used to develop rice varieties that are more resistant to drought.

Read the abstract in Research Square.

See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/ged/article/default.asp?ID=21229