A Novel Long Non‐Coding RNA, OslncBR3, Positively Regulates Rice Resistance to Blast Fungus via Upregulating NLR Genes OsLTG1 and OsLTG2

Summary Statement In this study, 6978 lncRNAs with reliable expression were cross‐verified in rice under the infection of blast fungus. A novel lncRNA, tentatively named OslncBR3 , regulating rice immunity to blast fungus was identified through the co‐expression network of disease resistance‐related mRNAs and lncRNAs. Finally, by using genetic and molecular biology methods, OslncBR3 was confirmed to regulate the expression of two nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) genes OsLTG1 and OsLTG2 to resist the infection of blast fungus and its functional mechanism was illustrated.