Stem Borer-resistant Javanica Rice cv Rojolele in Indonesia

Rice is consumed by more than 90 percent of  the Indonesian population. Rice breeders in Indonesia have been attempting to improve tropical japonicas. New varieties based on tropical japonica germplasm are being explored as a new frontier for increasing the yield potential of rice. Rojolele, one of the cultivars of javanica rice plants produces good yield, but its resistance to diseases and insects should be improved as well as its grain quality.

Researchers at the Research Centre for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences did research on transformation of  Rojolele using a binary vector containing a cry1B gene under the control of wound inducible promoter. A cry1B synthetic gene of Bacillus thuringinensis was used for the transformation of plants to confer resistance to an important pest, the yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas). The presence of the cry1B transgene in the successive generation of the transgenic plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analysis. The effective resistance of the transgenic plants against the stem borer was verified by bioassays compared to their non-transgenic counterparts.

For more information, visit http://www.biotek.lipi.go.id/ or email estiati@telkom.net. For information on biotechnology in Indonesia contact Dewi Suryani of IndoBIC at  dewisuryani@biotrop.org.