Recent Strategies for Detection and Improvement of Brown Planthopper Resistance Genes in Rice: A Review

Abstract

Brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens Stal) is considered the main rice insect pest in Asia. Several BPH-resistant varieties of rice have been bred previously and released for large-scale production in various rice-growing regions. However, the frequent surfacing of new BPH biotypes necessitates the evolution of new rice varieties that have a wide genetic base to overcome BPH attacks. Nowadays, with the introduction of molecular approaches in varietal development, it is possible to combine multiple genes from diverse sources into a single genetic background for durable resistance. At present, above 37 BPH-resistant genes/polygenes have been detected from wild species and indica varieties, which are situated on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Five BPH gene clusters have been identified from chromosomes 3, 4, 6, and 12. In addition, eight BPH-resistant genes have been successfully cloned. It is hoped that many more resistance genes will be explored through screening of additional domesticated and undomesticated species in due course.

RNA-Sequencing Reveals Differentially Expressed Rice Genes Functionally Associated with Defense against BPH and WBPH in RILs Derived from a Cross between RP2068 and TN1

“…Studies were initiated during 1960s to identify, characterize and utilize rice land races with resistance to BPH and WBPH (Pathak et al 1969 ; IRRI 1979 ; Heinrichs et al 1985 ). So far about 40 major genes and 72 QTLs conferring resistance to BPH and 19 major genes and 75 QTLs conferring resistance to WBPH have been reported from cultivated rice and its wild relatives (Fujita et al 2013 , Ling and Weilin 2016 ; Du et al 2020 ; Haliru et al 2020 ). Using some of these genes or combinations thereof, several rice varieties possessing BPH resistance have been developed and released for cultivation since 1980s (Khush and Brar 1991 ; Brar et al 2009 ).…”

“…Using some of these genes or combinations thereof, several rice varieties possessing BPH resistance have been developed and released for cultivation since 1980s (Khush and Brar 1991 ; Brar et al 2009 ). With advent of molecular marker technology almost all the BPH R genes have been mapped with linked markers (Du et al 2020 , Haliru et al 2020 ). It has been observed that 30 R genes are located in six clusters on four chromosomes i.e.…”

Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Phenotyping for Rice Resistance and Tolerance to Planthoppers

“…In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in using molecular tools during the breeding of rice varieties with anti-herbivore resistance [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. By applying marker-assisted selection, researchers have successfully tagged and transferred one or more resistance genes from donor rice varieties to a range of high-yielding varieties (reviewed by Horgan et al 2018 [ 14 ]).…”

“…Despite the large number of major anti-planthopper or anti-leafhopper genes that have been identified in rice (currently about 60 genes [ 11 , 12 , 16 ]), the resistance mechanisms associated with these genes are often poorly understood. However, the functioning of some of the major resistance genes was elucidated.…”

“…The ovicidal response in japonica rice varieties is associated with the Ovc gene and several quantitative trait loci; these plants respond to planthopper egg insertion into the plant by producing a necrotic lesion around the egg cluster that fills with benzyl benzoate to kill the eggs. Much of the response to planthopper and leafhopper feeding in rice involves activation of the salicylic acid defense pathway with final biosynthesis of defense volatiles and anti-feeding enzymes [ 11 , 12 ]. Therefore, rice defenses against planthoppers and leafhoppers can be divided into two major response groups, these are antixenosis defenses that reduce settling and oviposition (often referred to as preference responses) and antibiosis defenses that reduce herbivore performance (e.g., growth, development, egg hatching).…”