Stress-tolerance genes in rice: bridging gene discovery, functional validation, and breeding applications

Rice productivity is increasingly threatened by abiotic stresses, with drought being a major constraint to stable yields under changing climate conditions. Advances in genomics and high-throughput omics technologies have identified numerous drought-responsive genes in rice through transcriptomics, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. While these approaches have improved our understanding of the genetic basis of drought responses, the practical application of gene discovery in breeding programs remains limited. This review focuses on functionally validated drought-tolerance genes, emphasizing candidates confirmed through reverse genetics approaches, such as gene knockout, overexpression, and genome editing. Key examples are discussed across major functional categories, including transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and cellular protection mechanisms, highlighting their roles in drought tolerance and, when relevant, yield-related traits. We also explore how validated drought-tolerance genes have been integrated into rice improvement strategies, including marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and genome editing. Major challenges are addressed, such as inadequate evaluation under combined stress conditions and weak connections between gene function and field performance. By combining evidence from genomics, functional biology, and breeding research, this review outlines priority research directions to accelerate the translation of candidate genes into climate-resilient rice cultivars. Rather than providing a comprehensive list of drought-responsive genes, this review emphasizes high-confidence, functionally characterized targets with practical relevance for breeding.