Floret Sterility Induced by High Temperatures at the Flowering Stage in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Projected global warming is expected to increase the occurrence of high-temperature-induced floret sterility in rice. Elucidation of the conditions that induce and prevent the sterility would help researchers to predict the impact of climate change on rice yield and to develop countermeasures against yield losses that might result from the high temperatures. This paper describes the floret sterility induced by high temperature especially at the flowering stage. I first surveyed the reports on the conditions that induce floret sterility, and then reviewed the studies on the mechanism of the occurrence. Finally, I reviewed the studies on the tolerance to sterility-inducing high temperatures at the flowering stage.