The Effects of AtNCED3 on the Cuticle of Rice Leaves During the Nutritional Growth Period

The plant cuticle, a protective barrier against external stresses, and abscisic acid (ABA), a key phytohormone, are crucial for plant growth and stress responses. Heterologous expression of <i>AtNCED3</i> in plants has been widely studied. In this research, by comparing the japonica rice cultivar Zhonghua 10 and its <i>AtNCED3</i> over-expressing lines during the vegetative growth stage through multiple methods, we found that <i>AtNCED3</i> over-expression increased leaf ABA content, enhanced epidermal wax and cutin accumulation, modified wax crystal density, and thickened the cuticle. These changes reduced leaf epidermal permeability and the transpiration rate, thus enhancing drought tolerance. This study helps understand the role of endogenous ABA in rice cuticle synthesis and its mechanism in plant drought tolerance, offering potential for genetic improvement of drought resistance in crops.