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Report
No.241106 |
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- Technology - |
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National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences Discovers Disease Resistance Gene National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences announced on July 17 that it discovered rice gene that was resistant to both rice blast and bacterial leaf blight for the first time in the world. The gene is called "WRKY 45". The discovery would give a boost to breeding of a new variety resistant to diseases. It involves a genetic modification technology, which, according to the institution, is safe since a gene used is the one that rice inherently have. The discovery was made by a resistance research unit at the institute. Comparison of blast lesion area percentage between rice that were modified to strengthen the function of WRKY 45 and "Nihonbare" rice found that the modified rice had few lesions while a portion with lesions constituted 60% of "Nihonbare" leaf . Many conventional varieties resistant to diseases lose their resistance because of mutation in pathogenic bacteria. The institute said that the technology to enhance the function of the gene would prevent the disappearance of the resistance. This was found during they studied effects of benzothiadiazole (BTH), one of common ingredients of pesticides. BTH has a control effect through activating innate resistance of plants to diseases. The discovery will allow breeding of new disease-resistant varieties of crops not only for human consumption, but also for feed and biomass. Dr. Hiroshi Takatsuji, a chief of research unit, said, "The gene is resistant to two of three major rice diseases, that is blast and bacterial leaf blight, and would be effective in sheath blight, another major disease. We hope to ensure the practical use within five years." |
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