The rice paddy-direct seeding system, while cost-effective, suffers from low seedling vigor and cold sensitivity, limiting grain yield. This study identifies *vigla* and *viglb*, allelic mutants of *OsbZIP01*, exhibiting enhanced seedling vigor and chilling tolerance, but differing in grain production. *vigla*'s phenotype results from simultaneous mutations in *OsbZIP01* and *OsbZIP18*, or *OsbZIP01*'s basic region manipulation. *OsbZIP01* and *OsbZIP18* cooperatively regulate seedling establishment, chilling tolerance, and grain yield. These findings offer a strategy for simultaneously improving these crucial rice production parameters.

Dunpin Xiong, Juan Wang, Ruci Wang, Yueming Wang, Yi Li, Ge Sun, Shanguo Yao