Improved phenotyping procedure for evaluating resistance in rice against gall midge (Orseolia oryzae, Wood-Mason)

Background The rice gall midge (RGM, Orseolia oryzae, Wood-Mason), an important stem-feeding pest worldwide, has caused serious production losses over the past decades. Rice production practices indicate that the most reliable method for managing RGM is the deployment of cultivars that incorporate host resistance. However, the conventional phenotypic screening method of rice resistance to RGM suggested by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has been used for approximately 30 years, and only 12 rice varieties/lines (including controls) can be evaluated in one tray. It is not suitable for high-throughput phenotyping of rice germplasm. Moreover, a suitable method to prepare samples for molecular biological studies of rice resistance against RGM is imperative with the rapid development of modern molecular techniques. Results The proper density of seedlings/RGM was determined for four seeding arrangements. A high-throughput phenotyping method (HTPM) for 60 lines/varieties infested with 36 female RGM adults in one tray, as described by method 4–3 (seeded 60 lines/varieties), was developed and verified using mutant screening. Furthermore, one RGM resistance gene flanked by markers 12RM28346 and 12RM28739 on chromosome 12 was simultaneously detected using method 2–2 (seeded 30 lines/varieties in one tray) treated with 24 RGM and analyzed using conventional and simplified grading systems. Genetic analysis of the RGM resistance gene was confirmed using a method identical to that suggested by IRRI. Finally, one bucket with 24 seedlings treated with at least five female RGM adults was efficacious and could offer adequate samples for insect development observation or molecular biological studies. Conclusion A highly efficient and reliable procedure for evaluation of resistance in rice to RGM was developed and improved, and was verified through mutant screening, gene mapping, genetic analysis, and insect growth and development observations.

Comparative efficacies of insecticides and botanicals against rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) and their effect on the parasitoid Platygaster oryzae in rice ecosystem of Odisha, India

A field experiment was carried out to determine the comparative efficacy of newer insecticides with botanical insecticides, viz., Chlorantraniliprole 0.4G @ 10 kg ha-1, Fipronil 5 SC @ 1500 ml ha-1, Acephate 95 SG @ 750 g ha-1, Lambda cyhalothrin 4.9 CS @ 550 ml ha-1, Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 150 g ha-1 @ Carbofuran 3 CG @ 30 kg ha-1, Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 875 ml ha-1, Cedarwood oil @ 1000 ml ha-1, Azadirachtin 0.03 EC @ 2500 ml ha-1, applied at 20 and 35 DAT, against rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason) in rice during kharif, 2019 and 2020. All the treatments were effective for gall midge. Lambda cyhalothrin 4.9 CS @ 550 ml ha-1 was significantly superior (>80% reduction over control) for gall midge management and grain yield was 4.75 t ha-1. Both botanical and untreated plots had more number of parasitized gall midge (40- 53.3%) than other chemical treated plots.

Identification of a new resistance locus against the rice gall midge, Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason), in Thai rice landrace MN62M

Background The rice gall midge (RGM), Orseolia oryzae (Wood-Mason), is one of the most destructive insect pests of rice, and it causes significant yield losses annually in Asian countries. The development of resistant rice varieties is considered as the most effective and economical approach for maintaining yield stability by controlling RGM. Identification of resistance genes will help in marker-assisted selection (MAS) to pyramid the resistance genes and develop a durable resistance variety against RGM in areas with frequent outbreaks.Results A mitochondrial gene, cytochrome C oxidase I (COI), was used to analyze the genetic diversity among Thai RGM populations. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the Thai RGM populations were homogeneously distributed throughout the country, except for some populations in central and northeast Thailand that probably became isolated from the main population. The reactions of the resistant rice varieties carrying different resistance genes revealed different RGM biotypes in Thailand. The Thai rice landrace MN62M showed resistance to all RGM populations used in this study. We identified a novel genetic locus for resistance to RGM, designated as GM12 , on the short arm of rice chromosome 2. The locus was identified using linkage analysis in 144 F 2 plants derived from a cross between susceptible cultivar KDML105 and RGM-resistant cultivar MN62M with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and F 2:3 phenotype. The locus was confirmed and mapped using SNP and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers surrounding the target chromosomal location. Finally, the locus was mapped between two flanking markers, RM6800 and S2_419160.Conclusions We identified a new RGM resistance gene, GM12 , on rice chromosome 2 in the Thai rice landrace MN62M. This finding yielded SNP and SSR markers that can be used in MAS to develop cultivars with broad-spectrum resistance to RGM. The new resistance gene provides important information for the identification of RGM biotypes in Thailand and Southeast Asia.