Deciphering rice feralization: insights from genomics of weedy rice

Weedy rice (<italic>Oryza</italic> spp.) threatens global rice production due to its high seed shattering, persistent soil seed dormancy, and strong competitiveness against cultivated varieties. Population genomic studies over the past decade have revealed that weedy rice primarily originated from domesticated rice through de-domestication or feralization, establishing it as a key model for studying the genomic basis of crop feralization. Beyond elucidating their unique evolutionary origins, critical challenges and research gaps persist, particularly concerning the genetic underpinnings of their weediness and adaptive traits. Additionally, there is a need to effectively translate genomic insights into practical field management strategies and to fully leverage the potential of the genetic resource pool. This mini-review synthesizes recent advances in understanding its evolutionary trajectories, adaptation-related genomic signatures, multi-way introgression dynamics, and genetic mapping of weedy traits. We further discuss current control strategies alongside the underutilized potential of weedy rice as a genetic resource. Enhanced collaboration among geneticists, agronomists, and weed scientists will be vital for developing sustainable solutions while harnessing adaptive traits from weedy rice for rice improvement.