Pyramiding and evaluation of the brown planthopper resistance genes Bph14 and Bph15 in hybrid rice

The brown planthopper (BPH) is the most devastating insect pest in rice-producing areas. Shanyou 63 has become a widely cultivated hybrid in China over the last two decades; however, this line has become increasingly susceptible to bacterial blight (BB), blast, and BPH, resulting in a rapid decline in its use in rice production. In this study, a molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) introgression of Bph14 and Bph15 was performed to improve the BPH resistance of Minghui 63 and its derived hybrids such as Shanyou 63. The effect of pyramiding genes was then comprehensively evaluated using three tests that comprised seedbox screening, feeding rate, and antixenosis for settling in the field. The results showed that the improved hybrids containing a single BPH resistance gene showed enhanced resistance (lower resistance score, honeydew weight and number of BPH settling) compared to conventional hybrids, while pyramiding two genes provided even higher resistance. Moreover, both Bph14 and Bph15 are partial dominance genes, and have a strong dosage effect on the resistance to BPH in the hybrid background, which is useful for breeding BPH-resistant hybrids. Field trial data demonstrated that yields of improved hybrid rice were higher than or similar to the control (Shanyou 63) under natural field conditions. These improved versions could be used in breeding programs for green super rice..