Identification of Key Regulators of Plant Height Variation and Stress Tolerance of the RcMYB Family in Ricinus communis

<i>Ricinus communis</i> is a significant economic crop, where plant height and stress tolerance are critical factors influencing both yield and quality. The variation in plant height is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, with environmental stresses such as salt, drought, and cold notably affecting plant growth phenotypes. In this study, we utilized transcriptome data from two varieties, DL01 and Hale, which differ in plant height, to systematically identify the RcMYB transcription factor family and screen 12 key <i>RcMYBs</i> associated with height variation. We also analyzed the expression patterns of these genes under various stress conditions, including salt, drought, cold, and heat. Notably, these 12 height/stress-related <i>RcMYB</i> genes such as <i>RcMYB45</i> and <i>RcMYB27</i> showed notable expression changes in response to different stress treatments, suggesting their pivotal roles in regulating both plant height and stress tolerance. Through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we further discovered that these RcMYBs could interact with several regulatory factors. This study highlights the roles of RcMYB regulators in controlling plant height and stress adaptation in <i>R. communis</i>, providing potential target genes for molecular breeding and offering valuable insights into improving growth performance and stress tolerance.