Leaf blight resistance in rice: a review of breeding and biotechnology

Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) is the most devastating disease of rice. This disease can reduce grain production by 20-50% . Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight (BLB) of rice was characterized through pathogenecity and biochemical assays.The development of resistant cultivars has been the most effective and economical strategy to control bacterial leaf blight (BB) disease of rice caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Molecular markers have made it possible to identify and pyramid valuable genes of agronomic importance in resistance rice breeding. However, new powerful tools such as transgenics have been introduced to make a significant impact. The informed deployment of major, race-specific and partial, race-nonspecific resistance, either by conventional breeding or transgenic approaches, will enable the production of crop varieties with effective resistance without impacting on other agronomically important crop traits. Here, we review these recent advances and progress towards the ultimate goal of developing disease-resistant crops. The purpose of this minireview is to consolidate the existing knowledge about bacterial leaf blight in rice and the progress made both in conventional as well as in molecular dimensions of breeding together with potential findings and constraints.