Loss of function of a rice TPR-domain RNA-binding protein confers broad-spectrum disease resistance

Significance Crops carrying broad-spectrum resistance loci provide an effective strategy for controlling infectious disease. Despite their importance, few broad-spectrum resistance loci have been reported, and the underlying mechanisms controlling the trait remain largely unknown. This report describes the identification of a gene, called “ bsr-k1 ,” conferring broad-spectrum resistance and demonstrates that the encoded protein regulates immunity-related genes. Loss of function of BSR-K1 in rice leads to enhanced broad-spectrum resistance to two serious rice diseases with no major penalty on yield. This report provides insights into broad-spectrum resistance and offers an efficient strategy to breeding durably resistant rice.