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Plants are often subjected to DNA damage due to a range of environmental and internal factors in the natural world. Among these factors, DNA double strand breaks（DSBs）have the most serious consequences to plants. If these DSBs are repaired improperly, which may result in genome instability, gene mutations, and even cell death. On one hand, plants have evolved a powerful and well-organized damage repair mechanism to ensure overall survival and normal reproduction. On the other hand, based on the fault-tolerance and mutagenicity of the repair process, a series of techniques such as T-DNA insertion, gene editing, and physical mutagenesis have been widely used for variety improvement in plants and animals. Compared with mammals, reports on DSBs repair pathways and their molecular mechanisms in plants are limited. In this paper, we review the responses of plants to DSBs damage and the main repair mechanisms, and we also focus on the recent advances in alternative end joining（Alt-EJ）, whose mechanism has not yet been fully revealed. In addition, we discuss the characteristics and multi-pathway options of DSBs repair in plants induced by heavy ion beams irradiation, and the progress of gene editing technology based on different DSBs repair pathways. This study aims to provide reference for understanding the molecular mechanism of plant DSBs damage response and developing efficient biological breeding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) holds significant importance as a staple food crop, and its continual improvement plays a crucial role in sustainable advancement of agriculture and food security in China. Radiation mutagenesis technology offers an effective approach for breeding high-yield, superior-quality, and stress-resistant rice varieties, thereby contributing positively to the independent innovation of China's seed industry. This study provides a comprehensive review on the progress and notable achievements made in the field of radiation-induced mutation breeding of rice in China over the past two decades. It encompasses various aspects, including the application of various types of radiation sources for radiation mutagenesis in rice, establishment of reliable screening methods, progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-induced mutation, particularly through genomic variation studies. Additionally, the study highlights the development of a rice mutant bank comprising diverse phenotypes such as yield, resistance, and quality, along with the identification of related gene mutations. Furthermore, it discusses the creation of new varieties through radiation mutagenesis. Looking ahead, this technology will further contribute to the cultivation of higher yielding rice varieties adaptable to different environments and possess superior quality, while also creating new germplasms for gene function research in China.