Lipids are organic nonpolar molecules with essential biological and economic importance. While the genetic pathways and regulatory networks of lipid biosynthesis and metabolism have been extensively studied and thoroughly reviewed in oil crops such as soybeans, less attention has been paid to the biological roles of lipids in rice, a staple food for the global population and a model species for plant molecular biology research, leaving a considerable knowledge gap in the biological roles of lipids. In this review, we endeavor to furnish a current overview of the advancements in understanding the genetic foundations and physiological functions of lipids, including triacylglycerol, fatty acids, and very-long-chain fatty acids. We aim to summarize the key genes in lipid biosynthesis, metabolism, and transcriptional regulation underpinning rice’s developmental and growth processes, biotic stress responses, abiotic stress responses, fertility, seed longevity, and recent efforts in rice oil genetic improvement.

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua is a perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family that is used for both dietary and medicinal purposes in China. In September 2019, a new leaf spot disease on Polygonatum cyrtonema was detected and is currently widespread in Huaihua, Hunan Province, China. Pathogenic fungi were isolated and purified from samples of diseased tissue that were collected for morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies. The pathogen was identified using multilocus (ITS, TEF-1, and TUB2) phylogenies, as well as morphological characters, and was found to be clustered but separately divergent from species of Pestalotiopsis. However, there were significant morphological differences between the pathogen and similar species. The pathogen was finally identified as a new species that was designated Pestalotiopsis xuefengensis. This is the first report of Pestalotiopsis xuefengensis serving as the causal agent of gray leaf spot on Polygonatum cyrtonema. This study will provide useful information for the diagnosis and management of this disease.