Understanding Brown Planthopper Resistance in Rice: Genetics, Biochemical and Molecular Breeding Approaches

Brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens Stal) is the most devastating pest of rice in Asia and causes significant yield loss annually. Around 37 BPH resistance genes have been identified so far in indica, African rice varieties along with wild germplasms such as Oryza officinalis, O. minuta, O. nivara, O. punctata, O. rufipogon and O. latifolia. Genes/QTLs involved in BPH resistance, including Bph1, bph2/BPH26, Bph3, Bph6, bph7, BPH9, Bph12, Bph14, Bph15, Bph17, BPH18, bph19, Bph20, Bph21(t), Bph27, Bph27(t), Bph28(t), BPH29, QBph3, QBph4, QBph4.2, Bph30, Bph32, Bph33, Bph35 and Bph36, have been fine-mapped by different researchers across the globe. The majority of genes/QTLs are located on rice chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 11 and 12. Rice plants respond to BPH attack by releasing various endogenous metabolites like proteinase inhibitors, callose, secondary metabolites (terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoid, etc.) and volatile compounds. Besides that, hormonal signal pathways mediating (antagonistic/synergistic) resistance responses in rice have been well studied. Marker-assisted breeding and genome editing techniques can also be adopted for improving resistance to novel BPH biotypes.

Automated summary

The brown planthopper is the most devastating pest of rice in Asia, with about 37 resistant genes identified in various rice varieties. These genes are mainly located on specific chromosomes in rice, and rice plants respond to planthopper attack by releasing various endogenous metabolites. The hormonal signal pathways mediating resistance responses in rice have been extensively studied.