Meta-QTL and ortho analysis unravels the genetic architecture and key candidate genes for cold tolerance at seedling stage in rice

Rice, a critical cereal crop, grapples with productivity challenges due to its inherent sensitivity to low temperatures, primarily during the seedling and booting stages. Recognizing the polygenic complexity of cold stress signaling in rice, a meta-analysis was undertaken, focusing on 20 physiological traits integral to cold tolerance. This initiative allowed the consolidation of genetic data from 242 QTLs into 58 meta-QTLs, thereby significantly constricting the genetic and physical intervals, with 84% of meta-QTLs (MQTLs) being reduced to less than 2 Mb. The list of 10,505 genes within these MQTLs, was further refined utilizing expression datasets to pinpoint 46 pivotal genes exhibiting noteworthy differential regulation during cold stress. The study underscored the presence of several TFs such as WRKY, NAC, CBF/DREB, MYB, and bHLH, known for their roles in cold stress response. Further, ortho-analysis involving maize, barley, and Arabidopsis identified OsWRKY71, among others, as a prospective candidate for enhancing cold tolerance in diverse crop plants. In conclusion, our study delineates the intricate genetic architecture underpinning cold tolerance in rice and propounds significant candidate genes, offering crucial insights for further research and breeding strategies focused on fortifying crops against cold stress, thereby bolstering global food resilience.