Cold stress (CS) represents a major environmental factor that adversely affects plant growth, development, and productivity. To cope with low-temperature conditions, plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms for CS perception and response, mediated through complex cellular signaling networks and physiological processes. Central to these adaptive responses are phytohormones, which function either independently or through synergistic and antagonistic interactions to fine-tune CS tolerance. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the roles of major classical phytohormones and signaling metabolites in regulating CS tolerance in plants. We first outline the molecular mechanisms involved in CS sensing and signal transduction, highlighting the roles of membrane-associated sensors, calcium signaling, and downstream transcriptional networks. Then, we discuss the contributions of key classical phytohormones, including auxin, abscisic acid, ethylene, salicylic acid, cytokinin, jasmonic acid, brassinosteroids, gibberellic acid, strigolactones, and signaling metabolites, including melatonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid, to CS tolerance, highlighting their individual and interacting roles in modulating gene expression regulation, antioxidant defense and physiological adaptations. We also discuss the crosstalk between these hormones, emphasizing the dynamic and often context-dependent nature of their interactions in response to CS. Furthermore, the review highlights recent advances in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing strategies targeting phytohormone biosynthesis, signaling, and response pathways to improve CS tolerance in plants. By integrating hormonal signaling, molecular regulation, and modern biotechnological tools, this review provides a comprehensive framework for understanding phytohormone-mediated CS adaptation and offers perspectives for developing climate-resilient crops through genetic and agronomic approaches.

Small heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role in rice plants by protecting cells from thermal damage during heat stress (HS). Although various types of heat-tolerant small HSPs have been reported in rice, the key genes (KGs) for HS in rice remain elusive. Hence, in this investigation, we selected 23 critical small HSPs of rice response to HS from the literature and sorted out six uncloned KGs (OsHSP23.6, OsHSP26.2, OsHSP22.3, OsHSP18.6, OsHSP23.2, and OsHSP16.0) by analyzing five CytoHubba algorithms, including degree, closeness, bottleneck, MCC, and DMNC. The KGs expression results revealed that the six KGs are heat-induced heat-tolerant genes and play crucial roles in rice responses to HS. Moreover, GO (gene ontology) enrichment pathway analysis found that the KGs are involved in responses to reactive oxygen species (ROS), response to heat, unfolded protein binding, and protein folding. The expressology tree analysis indicated that the six KGs might have various functions under development and stress conditions. The tissue specific expression patterns exhibited the various expression levels of six KGs in different tissues under abiotic stress, including temperature stress. Relative gene expression results revealed that these KGs are heat-inducible and play critical roles to tolerate heat stress in rice. Therefore, these KGs have potential roles in the development of heat-tolerant varieties.

The myeloblastosis (MYB) transcript factors (TFs) are well-known for their significant roles in stress tolerance in rice. Although numerous types of MYB have been reported, however, the key genes (KGs) of the MYB family and their specific functions for abiotic and biotic stresses in rice remain largely unexplored. In this study, 183 putative OsMYB TFs randomly distributed in rice genomes were identified, and 12 uncloned KGs (OsMYB91, OsMYB103, OsMYB124, OsMYBR5, OsMYBR11, OsMYBR17, OsMYBR21, OsMYBR51, OsMYBR62, OsMYBR63, OsMYBR67, and OsMYBR72) were identified by analyzing CytoHubba computational algorithms, which were found randomly distributed on seven chromosomes. The phylogenetic studies classified these genes into three different subfamilies and found that to show the evolutionary links among these KG families. We also critically analyzed the gene structure, domain architecture, conserved motifs, phytohormonal cis-acting elements, and protein structure by conducting bioinformatics and molecular biology methods. Moreover, syntenic pair analysis revealed that the 12 KGs have multiple relationships between rice and other plant species. Expressology tree analysis indicated that the genes might have various functions under development and stress conditions. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that KGs are significantly associated with key biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components, particularly highlighting roles in gene expression regulation, transcription factor activity, and nuclear localization. The gene expression data analysis showed that the expression of the 12 KGs is abiotic stresses (drought, salt, cold, and heat) and different biotic stress-induced TFs, which are likely involved in stress response in rice. Relative gene expression results through qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the KGs are heat and salt-induced and play crucial roles in rice responses to heat and salt stress. Finally, we identified 12 KGs, and these KGs have potential roles for developing abiotic and biotic-tolerant rice varieties.

Rice stripe mosaic virus (RSMV) belongs to the Cytorhabdovirus species in the Rhabdoviridae family. Recently, RSMV was widely spread in East Asia and caused severe yield losses. RSMV is transmitted by the planthopper vectors, Recilia dorsalis, Nephotettix virescens, and Nilaparvata lugens, that mostly affect rice. The adult vectors can hibernate, transmit the virus, lay eggs on rice plants, and, finally, multiply in subsequent generations, resulting in new infection outbreaks. RSMV-infected rice varieties display striped mosaicism, mild dwarfism, stiff and twisted leaves, delayed heading, short panicles with large unfilled grains, and yield reduction. In nature, the infection of multiple pathogens in the same host is widespread, which is defined as co-infection. It can be antagonistic or synergistic. Pathological synergistic effects between RSMV and other viruses can generate strains with new genetic characteristics, leading to unpredictable epidemiological consequences. After the first identification of RSMV in 2015, significant advancements in understanding the disease’s characteristics, symptoms, cycles, geographic distribution, potential vectors, and synergistic interaction, as well as its management strategies, were developed. To reduce the damage due to RSMV infection, many scientists have recommended pest control techniques to target adult vectors. It is also essential to confirm the actual time of monitoring, development of resistant varieties, and changes in cultivation systems. Due to the limitations of the conventional plant disease control technologies, improvements in efficiency and safety are in high demand. Therefore, to find efficient and environmentally safe controls to mitigate these challenges, reviews of research are the foremost step. In this review, we summarize the basic epidemiological information about the origin of RSMV and its infection symptoms in the field, synergistic interaction with viruses during co-transmission, yield losses, formulation of the disease cycle, and control strategies from several case studies. Finally, we recommend the formulation of the disease cycle and management strategies of RSMV infection.