Strigolactones constrain rice drought acclimation by suppressing ROS scavenging through the D53-OsWRKY31-ZFP36 module.
A key mechanism underlying SL-repressed drought acclimation in rice is uncovered and genome editing of key components in SL pathway enhances drought resistance in NP, Huazhan (HZ), and IRAT109 and provides an effective strategy to improve drought resistance in diverse rice varieties amid ongoing climate change.