Lodging is a limiting factor for rice production in the Sichuan Basin, China. However, the mechanisms of stem lodging resistance, especially its regulation by plant growth regulators are still unclear. A two-year field study, by using the three foliar application rates of uniconazole with two rice varieties, Yuxiang203 (YX203) and Cliangyouhuazhan (CLYHZ), was conducted to determine stem lodging resistance and its morphological and anatomical mechanisms in rice plants. The results revealed that, compared with 2019, the grain yield in 2020 significantly decreased, while the lodging index (LI) significantly increased. Uniconazole treatment increased the rice yield by 4.6%-11.2% and 2.1%-7.0%, and decreased LI by 21.1%-33.9% and 11.4%-29.6% in YX203 and CLYHZ, respectively. Uniconazole treatment shortened the length of the basal internodes by 19.5%-33.0% (YX203) and 24.7%-40.7% (CLYHZ), resulting in a significant reduction in plant height. Uniconazole treatment increased the mechanical tissue thickness, areas of small and larger vascular bundles, and culm diameter, and further increased the breaking strength of the two varieties. Cell wall components, including cellulose and lignin, were increased by foliar application of uniconazole, thereby creating denser sclerenchyma cells and increasing the thickness of the mechanical tissue and area of the vascular bundle. These results suggest that the application of uniconazole enhances stem mechanical strength via increased mechanical tissue thickness and larger areas of small and large vascular bundles, thereby improving the lodging resistance of rice plants.

To address the adverse effects of warming on late-season rice, we investigated the impact of increasing the number of seedlings on rice yield, quality, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under canopy warming conditions using the free-air temperature increase (FATI) system. Three treatments were implemented: ambient temperature with two seedlings hill^-1 (CKS1), canopy warming with two seedlings hill^-1 (WS1), and canopy warming with four seedlings hill^-1 (WS2). FATI increased rice canopy temperature and soil temperature by an average of 1.9-2.2°C and 0.6-0.8°C, respectively, over the two years. The yield in WS1 was significantly reduced by 10.1%-12.1% compared with CKS1, which was attributed to a significant decrease in total spikelets m^-2 and spikelets panicle^-1, despite a notable increase in filled grains in 2023. However, WS2 demonstrated no significant change in yield compared with CKS1. Analysis of yield components revealed that WS2 exhibited significantly higher panicles m^-2 than CKS1, while the spikelets panicle^-1 were significantly lower than CKS1. No significant changes were observed in grain weight and processing and appearance qualities. Compared with that under CKS1, CH₄ was significantly reduced under WS2 treatment in both years, and the global warming potential (GWP) and GHG intensity (GHGI) showed a decrease, with notable differences observed in 2022. Therefore, increasing the number of seedlings hill^-1 can alleviate the negative impacts of canopy warming on grain yield and reduce GHG emissions in late-season rice.

Rainfed lowland rice and aerobic rice are two contrasting cropping systems that differ greatly in their growing environment, water management, and yield level. Rainfed lowland rice is a common cropping system in tropical Asia and the crop is grown in a paddy field with standing water during some of the growing season producing a grain yield of up to 3-6 ​t ​ha⁻¹. In contrast, aerobic rice is commonly irrigated, has no standing water in the field, and is being developed as a water-saving technology in temperate and subtropical areas with yield of up to 6-10 ​t ​ha⁻¹. However, both rainfed lowland and aerobic rice commonly experience soil water deficit during growth, and genotypic adaptation to water deficit is required to produce high yield. This review describes how soil water deficit affects rice growth and yield and aims to identify traits required for lowland and aerobic rice in their adaptation to soil water deficit and ways to achieve yield improvement. Some common traits are found to be desirable in both cropping systems, including low canopy temperature and well-developed root systems at soil depth. While aerobic rice is shown to require high stomatal conductance with high stomatal density to minimise potential photosynthetic losses due to CO₂ transport limitation, it appears desirable for rainfed lowland rice to adopt conservative water use and not consume soil water too quickly with adaptation mechanisms such as reduced stomatal density. This review concludes with several suggestions to improve grain yield in both rainfed lowland and aerobic rice.

The cuticle, primarily composed of waxes and cutin polyesters, is a hydrophobic layer that covers the surfaces of plant tissues, evolving as physiological and biochemical adaptations to diverse environments. This layer acts as a diffusion barrier, preventing water loss and protecting plants against various biotic and abiotic stresses. Cuticular lipids, the major constituents of the cuticle, are complex mixtures of fatty acids and their derivatives. The biosynthesis, secretion, and assembly of these lipophilic metabolites are governed by multiple genes and intricately coordinated molecular networks that respond to developmental signals and various environmental stimuli. Advances in plant genetics and analytical techniques have greatly expanded our understanding of the biochemical composition and diverse functions of plant cuticles. This review provides an overview of the cuticle metabolism, with an emphasis on its role in abiotic stress adaptation in crops.

It is a challenge to maintain high yields while improving grain quality of wheat under limited water and nitrogen supply conditions. To achieve a simultaneous improvement of yield and quality, a field trial was conducted from 2021 to 2023. Treatments with different timings (5, 10, and 15 ​d after anthesis) and frequencies of spraying nitrogen (1, 2, and 3 times) were set up after anthesis under a water-saving cultivation system. Spraying nitrogen after anthesis significantly increased grain yield and protein content by 4.99% and 6.00%, respectively. The increase in grain yield was mainly due to the improvement in grain weight, which was attributed to increased grain filling and starch synthesis. Spraying nitrogen once at 15 ​d after anthesis (T_{15 D}) was optimal. T_{15 D} treatment increased the photosynthetic pigment content and the enzyme activities of carbon and nitrogen metabolism of the flag leaves. T_{15 D} increased the pre-anthesis nitrogen remobilization to grains by 4.71%-9.06% compared to the other spraying treatments, and promoted the accumulation of nitrogen in the grains. Moreover, T_{15 D} optimized the protein composition of the grains and improved processing quality at maturity. In conclusion, spraying nitrogen at 15 ​d after anthesis may be an effective measure to simultaneously improve the yield and quality of winter wheat under a water-saving cultivation system.

Projected climate change impacts, such as delayed rainfall and increased drought frequency, threaten rice cultivation and global food security. This study evaluated the effects of water scarcity at critical growth stages and biochar application on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, yield, and soil health in Central Thailand using the drought-tolerant cultivar Pathum Thani 1. Treatments included continuous flooding and water scarcity during tillering, reproductive, or both stages, with and without biochar, across wet and dry seasons. Water scarcity significantly reduced methane (CH₄) emissions by inhibiting hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (Methanocella) and acetoclastic methanogenesis (GOM Arc I of Methanosarcinales) but increased nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions via enhanced nitrification. Despite higher N₂O emissions, total GHG emissions, expressed as the global warming potential (GWP), were lower under water-scarce conditions than under continuous flooding, with reductions of 27.1%, 43.0%, and 58.1% during tillering, reproductive, and both stages, respectively. Water scarcity during tillering stage maintained yield, whereas water scarcity during reproductive stage caused a significant reduction in yield. Biochar amendment further mitigated GHG emissions, improved yield by 12.2%, and enhanced soil health by increasing soil pH, nutrient availability, and soil organic carbon sequestration. Its high porosity and surface area also suppressed methanogenesis and reduced N₂O formation while improving nutrient use efficiency. The strategic use of water restrictions during tillering, combined with biochar, provides a sustainable approach to mitigate GHG emissions, optimize water use, and sustain soil health and productivity. In resource-limited scenarios, prioritizing tillering-stage water scarcity over biochar application is recommended because of its greater GHG mitigation potential.