Abstract
We carried out a comparative assessment of the resistance against the striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) of transgenic plants of a homozygous line (98-9) of rice (cv. Senia) harboring the cry1B endotoxin gene, at a vegetative stage (3–4 leaf stage) and two reproductive developmental stages (booting and heading-ripening). These three developmental stages match those attained by plants in paddy rice fields at successive infestations of striped stem borers in Northeast Spain. Transgenic and non-transgenic plants were infested with L2-stage larvae at these three stages and dissected after 17–21 days of infestation. In non-transformed plants, the larvae grew normally to L4-stage larvae and pupae, but in transgenic-plants the larvae died early in the infestation process. In addition, plant damage was very severe in control plants, while the transgenic plants appeared to be fully protected at all three of the developmental stages tested. Transgenic plants infested at the early vegetative stage developed more tillers than non-infested control-plants. This stimulatory effect was induced by larvae bites at the beginning of the infestation leading to a full recovery of young transgenic plants by compensatory growth. Therefore, transgenic Senia plants expressing the cry1B gene are protected against striped stem borer pest throughout plant development.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marfà, V., Melé, E., Gabarra, R. et al. Influence of the developmental stage of transgenic rice plants (cv. Senia) expressing the cry1B gene on the level of protection against the striped stem borer (Chilo suppressalis). Plant Cell Rep 20, 1167–1172 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-002-0452-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-002-0452-1