Oryza sativa L. sequencing at low temperatures
Increasing climatic fluctuations threaten world food security as these are the primary drivers of abiotic and biotic stresses that limit agricultural production. Temperature fluctuations, particularly episodes of low temperatures, can lead to chill injury in major cereal crops such as rice (Oryza sativa L.). At low temperatures, the formation of ice crystals, alterations in the permeability of biological membranes, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) take place, intracellularly or extracellularly. These changes result in a combination of symptoms like poor germination, reduced seedling vigor or stunted growth, reduced leaf size, leaf yellowing and withering, reduced tillering, poor root proliferation, disturbed plant water relations, impeded nutrient uptake, premature heading, increased seed abortion, and reduced seed size leading to reduced yield. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has revolutionized our understanding of plant responses to cold temperatures. By analyzing the comprehensive transcriptome data obtained through these technologies, researchers can identify candidate genes that are involved in low-temperature responsiveness, a critical factor in plant adaptation to cold environments.