Strategic Advancements in Rice Cultivation: Combating Heat Stress through Genetic Innovation and Sustainable Practices—A Review

Rice is one of the most important staple foods globally, sustaining over half of the world’s population. However, the sustainability of grain production is increasingly threatened by heat stress, which is intensified by global climate change. Heat stress, characterized by temperatures exceeding crop-specific optimal growth thresholds, significantly impacts the rice yield and quality, particularly during critical reproductive stages. This review synthesizes current research on strategies to mitigate heat stress in rice through genetic and agronomic approaches. It highlights the implementation of advanced genetic tools such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS) to accelerate the breeding of heat-tolerant rice varieties. Additionally, it discusses sustainable agronomic practices, including adjusting planting dates, optimizing water management, and crop rotation, which enhance resilience to heat stress. The objective of this review is to bridge the gap between research findings and practical agricultural applications, providing a comprehensive resource that guides future research directions and informs policy interventions. This review emphasizes the importance of integrating genetic innovations with traditional and modern farming practices to develop rice varieties that can withstand the adverse effects of heat stress, ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability in the face of climatic challenges.