Abstract:

Blast, called “rice cancer”, is one of the severe diseases and seriously affects the yields and quality of rice. Genetic improvement using broad-spectrum resistance genes is one of the most effective methods to control rice blast. Using a strategy combined with genome-wide association study (GWAS) and correlation analysis of recombinant inbred lines, we identified a novel blast resistance allele, bsr-d1, from rice variety Digu. The bsr-d1 enhances blast resistance by regulating accumulation of H2O2 that relied on the expression of peroxidase genes. This allele, bsr-d1 conferred broad-spectrum resistance against blast without obvious penalty on rice yields or quality. Thus, bsr-d1 offers an alternative strategy for breeding durable resistance in rice.