Morpho-physiological responses in rice and cold stress induced acclimation involving biochemical and signaling pathways in Boro rice

Cold stress has adverse affects on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation leading to loss of productivity and yield. However, to cope with such adverse conditions the plant body undergoes various biochemical and molecular changes that help these crops withstand such low temperatures. Apart from this, various visual symptoms are also observed which are accomplished by various physiological changes inside the cell. In this article we tried to elucidate the various morpho-physiological changes in rice plants under cold stress with special reference to cold acclimation processes in cold tolerant Boro rice. The combined effects of various enzymatic, nonenzymatic antioxidant defense system along with various downstream signaling pathways help rice to acclimatize during chilling/freezing stress. This may help in facilitating rice breeding for cold tolerant rice varieties and may also provide an insight into cold stress acclimation researches. © 2022, The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research.