Identification and knockout of a herbivore susceptibility gene enhances planthopper resistance and increases rice yield

Abstract

Brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens) and white-backed planthoppers (Sogatella furcifera) are among the most destructive pests on rice. However, plant susceptibility genes have not yet been exploited for crop protection. Here we identified a leucine-rich repeat protein, OsLRR2, from susceptible rice varieties that facilitates infestation by brown planthopper N. lugens. Field trials showed that knockout of OsLRR2 significantly reduced BPH infestation and enhanced natural biological control by attracting natural enemies. Yield of a susceptible variety was increased by 18% in insecticide-treated plots that eliminated planthoppers and by 25% in untreated plots. These findings underscore the pivotal role of OsLRR2, offering a promising pathway for pest population suppression and rice yield increase. Planthoppers are among the most destructive pests on rice. This study identified that a leucine-rich repeat protein OsLRR2 negatively regulates defence responses. Knockout of the encoding gene OsLRR2 enhances rice herbivore resistance and yield, which holds the potential to produce high-yielding rice varieties that are resistant to devastating pest insects.