PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC DEEP-WATER INDICA RICE PLANTS EXPRESSING A SYNTHETIC BACILLUS-THURINGIENSIS CRYIA(B), GENE WITH ENHANCED RESISTANCE TO YELLOW STEM BORER

Yellow stem borer has been identified as a major insect pest of deepwa ter rice, causing severe yield losses. Bt gene(s) from Bacillus thurin giensis have been proven very effective in pest resistance program. Th e use of transgenic plants expressing Bt gene(s) is now occupied effec tive approach to control insect infestation. We have successfully intr oduced a synthetic crylA(b) gene into embryogenic calli of a deepwater indica rice variety, Vaidehi, by using the biolistic method of transf ormation. The presence and expression of the Bt gene in regenerated pl ants were confirmed by Southern and Western blot analyses. Inheritance of the transgene was confirmed in the T-1 generation. Insect bioassay s showed an enhancement of resistance against the yellow stem borer. T his is the first report of lowland rice, engineered with Bt gene. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.