Pyramiding elite alleles of the genetically linked OsNRAMP5 and OsHMA3 confers low Cd accumulation in rice grains without compromising stress tolerance

alleles into the commercial rice cultivar Wushansimiao markedly reduced Cd concentrations in brown rice grown in Cd-contaminated fields without incurring a yield penalty, even under combined heat and low-Mn stress. Thus, our findings provide mechanistic insights into how low-Cd accumulation can be balanced with stress resilience and offer a promising strategy for developing rice cultivars with low-Cd grains and broad environmental adaptability.