Production of transgenic deepwater indica rice plants expressing a synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis cryIA(b) gene with enhanced resistance to yellow stem borer

Abstract

Yellow stem borer has been identified as a major insect pest of deepwater rice, causing severe yield losses. Bt gene(s) from Bacillus thuringiensis have been proven very effective in pest resistance program. The use of transgenic plants expressing Bt gene(s) is now occupied effective approach to control insect infestation. We have successfully introduced a synthetic cryIA(b) gene into embryogenic calli of a deepwater indica rice variety, Vaidehi, by using the biolistic method of transformation. The presence and expression of the Bt gene in regenerated plants were confirmed by Southern and Western blot analyses. Inheritance of the transgene was confirmed in the T1 generation. Insect bioassays showed an enhancement of resistance against the yellow stem borer. This is the first report of lowland rice, engineered with Bt gene.