Integrating molecular networks and physiological adaptation for heat-resilient crops

As global temperatures increase, heat stress has become a key limiting factor affecting crop yield and quality. Against the backdrop of growing global food demand and increasingly frequent extreme high-temperature events, this dual pressure poses a threat to global food security. This review systematically analyzes the physiological effects of heat on major crops, focusing on source-sink relationships and nutrient transport processes. We summarize key heat-related genes identified in these crops through forward and reverse genetic approaches, elucidating the mechanisms underlying heat signal perception and transduction across genetic, transcriptional, protein, metabolic, cell membrane, nuclear, and organellar levels. Furthermore, we explore the complex crosstalk between heat and other abiotic/biotic stresses in crops. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future avenues for breeding heat-resilient crops to ensure stable agricultural productivity.