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Review reveals calcium signaling disruption triggers panicle apical abortion in rice, indicating calcium homeostasis is vital for protecting grain yield.
Panicle size is a critical determinant of grain yield in rice and other cereal crops. During rice growth and development, panicle apical abortion (PAA) frequently occurs, particularly under unfavorable conditions, resulting in a reduced number of fertile spikelets and substantial yield losses. In production practice, PAA is a quantitative trait regulated by both genetic and environmental factors. To date, no major quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying PAA have been successfully cloned from elite rice cultivars. Studies of PAA-related mutants suggest that this trait involves multiple biological processes. In this review, we synthesize current evidence and propose a pivotal role of calcium in young panicle development. We conclude that PAA is closely associated with disrupted Ca 2+ homeostasis and aberrant calcium signaling.
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Cheng et al. (2026) studied this question.
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