BhimiReddy Sukrutha

Rice improvement now operates at the intersection of three objectives that were historically treated more independently: raising yield, maintaining or improving grain quality, and stabilising performance under abiotic stress. This critical narrative review evaluates the genetic architecture, breeding evidence and translational maturity of these objectives in Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.), while drawing selectively on African rice and wild Oryza germplasm where they illuminate useful alleles or mechanisms. Literature published from 2000 to 5 August 2026 was prioritised, with earlier or foundational work retained when necessary. The synthesis distinguishes large-effect loci that have translated effectively into breeding, such as SUB1A, from traits whose expression is strongly background- or environment-dependent. Yield improvement has benefited from genes controlling stature, panicle architecture, grain number, grain size and heading date, but the same loci can alter maturity, lodging risk, source–sink relations and market-preferred grain dimensions. Grain quality is similarly modular rather than unitary: appearance, milling, cooking, eating, aroma and nutritional attributes arise from partially distinct pathways, with Wx, ALK, BADH2, Chalk5 and grain-size regulators illustrating both tractability and pleiotropic constraint. For abiotic stress tolerance, major loci affecting sodium transport, submergence quiescence, root architecture, anaerobic germination, phosphorus acquisition, heat tolerance and chilling adaptation provide strong mechanistic anchors, yet combined-stress and grain-filling environments remain underrepresented. Genomics, genomic selection, pangenomics and genome editing broaden the accessible allele space, but prediction and editing do not remove the need for rigorous multi-environment phenotyping. The central conclusion is that future genetic gain will depend less on stacking nominally favourable alleles than on designing compatible haplotype combinations whose effects remain stable across target production environments and consumer quality requirements.

Agriculture has long relied on chemical inputs such as pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers to maintain crop productivity, often leading to environmental degradation and health concerns. This review aims to evaluate the potential of transgenic crops to reduce dependence on such inputs while supporting sustainable agriculture. Transgenic plants, developed through genetic engineering, incorporate desirable traits such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, and disease resistance, enabling crops to better withstand biotic stresses. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that insect-resistant crops, particularly Bt cotton and Bt maize, have contributed to notable reductions in insecticide use and improved crop yields in several regions. In some cases, these crops have also enhanced ecological balance by supporting beneficial organisms. However, the widespread adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops has raised concerns regarding increased herbicide application and the emergence of resistant weed species. This review synthesizes findings from existing literature to examine the extent to which transgenic crops reduce chemical inputs, their environmental and socio-economic impacts, and their role in modern agricultural systems. It also highlights key challenges, including resistance development, regulatory issues, and public acceptance. Overall, transgenic crops present a promising approach to minimizing chemical dependency, but their long-term sustainability depends on responsible management practices and integrated agricultural strategies.

The need for mechanical harvesting in cotton production has become paramount as labor costs continue to rise. Efficient machine harvesting requires short and compact cotton plants. This study developed ten F1 populations by crossing five Indian-origin cotton genotypes using a half-diallel mating design. Field trials were conducted in two seasons, Kharif 2022 and summer 2023, at Coimbatore, India. Significant genetic variability was observed across all plant architecture traits, with strong G × E interactions (P ≤ 0.01), highlighting clear opportunities for breeding compact high-yielding cotton types. A consistent negative correlation between plant height and seed cotton yield in both environments suggested that shorter plants provided greater yield stability. An ideal plant height of 75-110 cm was identified as the most suitable for mechanized harvesting. Within this ideal range, architecture traits such as zero monopodia, internode and branch lengths showed a consistent negative association with yield, while plant density, sympodial branch origin and number were positively linked to higher yield. Stepwise regression identified the groups of mainstem internode (1st-4th nodes) and sympodial branch lengths (lower, middle, upper) as key yield-influencing traits, offering targets for breeding compact, high-performing cotton types. Pooled values indicated an ideal mean mainstem internodes lengths (MIL) of approximately 5.2 cm and sympodial branches lengths (SBL) of approximately 19.9 cm, with shorter internodes enhancing plant sturdiness and uniformity, while reduced sympodial length improved canopy openness, light penetration and harvest efficiency with minimal trash intake. The findings provide practical recommendations on compact plant architecture traits, particularly ideal internode and branch lengths, to enhance yield potential and facilitate mechanical harvesting in cotton.

Rice is a vital staple food, especially in Asia, but it is highly susceptible to drought, leading to significant yield losses. To ensure food sustainability, drought-tolerant rice varieties are essential. Conventional breeding methods improve drought tolerance by focusing on biometric traits like root depth, avoidance, escape, and tolerance. This involves screening and crossing drought-tolerant varieties with high-yielding ones, followed by selection and evaluation. Techniques such as pedigree selection, recurrent selection, and backcrossing introduce desirable genes to enhance drought tolerance. Induced mutation through radiation exposure is also used. The molecular basis of drought tolerance involves identifying and manipulating genes responsible for rice's response to water stress. Techniques like QTL analysis, transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics identify genes and QTLs associated with drought tolerance. Important genes involved in drought response include DREB, LEA, and ROS scavenging genes. Identifying QTLs enables the development of molecular markers for efficient screening of drought-tolerant rice genotypes. In conclusion, conventional breeding and molecular approaches are employed to develop drought-tolerant rice varieties. Conventional breeding improves biometric traits, while molecular techniques identify and manipulate specific genes associated with drought tolerance. This combination holds promise for high-yielding and drought-tolerant rice cultivars, contributing to global food security. However, further research is needed to understand the complex genetic mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in rice and enhance breeding precision and efficiency.