Natural variation in TOLS1 modulates salt tolerance via OsRacB-Ca(2+) signaling pathway in rice.

Natural variation in TOLS1 influences rice salt tolerance by modulating OsRacB-Ca(2+) signaling, with the TOLS1 A allele reducing tolerance more than G.

• Why it matters: Salt stress limits rice yields worldwide, and understanding genetic factors behind tolerance can improve breeding strategies.
• What they did: Using genome-wide association analysis and fine-mapping, researchers identified TOLS1 as a key gene affecting salt sensitivity, with natural SNP variation altering its function.
• The result: The findings reveal that TOLS1 variation impacts OsRacB activity and calcium signaling, providing targets for molecular breeding to enhance salt tolerance in rice.