Virus-Induced Gene Silencing Of Xa38 Compromises The Resistance Towards Bacterial Blight Disease Of Rice

Bacterial blight (BB) is one of the most destructive diseases of rice, caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Several BB resistant genes have been deployed in rice cultivars. One such gene is Xa38, which exhibits resistance against several Indian Xoo races. Since the detailed characterization of Xa38 is still awaited, we have used Virus Induced Gene Silencing, using the rice-specific pRTBV-MVIGS system, to silence Xa38 and study its effect on the symptom development of BB. We find that Xa38 silencing compromises the resistance towards Xoo. Silencing results in increased BB symptoms and enhanced Xoo accumulation.