Advancements and Challenges in Rice Science: A Review of Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a cornerstone of global food security, serving as a primary dietary staple for billions worldwide. Significant advancements in rice science, encompassing traditional breeding, molecular genetics, and biotechnology, have revolutionized its cultivation and improvement. This review synthesizes recent progress in enhancing rice productivity, nutritional quality, and resilience to adverse conditions. It delves into the sophisticated application of molecular markers and cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9, which have enabled precise trait manipulation. Despite these strides, rice cultivation faces multifaceted challenges, including the impacts of climate change, persistent biotic and abiotic stresses, and socio-economic hurdles. This paper critically examines these challenges and outlines future perspectives aimed at developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritionally superior rice varieties through integrated, sustainable approaches.