Pyramiding of two BPH resistance genes and Stv-b i gene using marker-assisted selection in japonica rice

Abstract

Rice is affected by several plant diseases and insects that can cause severe yield losses. In this study, it is reported the introgression of resistance genes to brown planthopper (BPH) and rice stripe disease (RSD) in the japonica cultivars. Initially, four backcross (BC) lines were obtained using B5 as donor parent. Molecular markers linked to the resistance genes were used to iden- tify the plants containing the genes of interest. In the present research, two BPH resistance genes (Bph14 and Bph15) and one RSD resistance gene (Stv-bi ) were successfully transferred into three japonica varieties via a marker-aided backcrossing procedure. The progeny lines with Bph14 and Bph15 genes showed high resistance to BPH, while the progeny lines with Stv-bi gene showed high resistance to RSD. Yield research showed this is an effective way in rice breeding to control the damage from BPH and RSD, by using MAS of BPH genes and Stv-bi gene.