Pyramiding of Xa7 and Xa21 for the improvement of disease resistance to bacterial blight in hybrid rice

‘Minghui 63’ is a restorer line widely used in hybrid rice production in China for the last two decades. This line and its derived hybrids, including ‘Shanyou 63’, are susceptible to bacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). To improve the bacterial blight resistance of hybrid rice, two resistance genes Xa21 and Xa7, have been introgressed into ‘Minghui 63’ by marker‐assisted selection and conventional backcrossing, respectively. The single resistance gene‐introgressed lines, Minghui 63 (Xa21) and Minghui 63 (Xa7) had higher levels of resistance to bacterial blight than their derived hybrids, Shanyou 63 (Xa21) or Shanyou 63 (Xa7). Both Xa21 and Xa7 showed incomplete dominance in the heterozygous background of rice hybrids by infection with GX325 and KS‐1‐21. The improved restorer lines, with the homozygous genotypes, Xa21Xa21 or Xa7Xa7, were more resistant than their hybrids with the heterozygous genotypes Xa21xa21 or Xa7xa7. To further enhance the bacterial blight resistance of ‘Minghui 63’ and its hybrids, Xa21 and Xa7 were pyramided into the same background using molecular marker‐aided selection. The restorer lines developed with the resistance genes Xa21 and Xa7, and their derived hybrids were evaluated for resistance after inoculation with 10 isolates of pathogens from China, Japan and the Philippines, and showed a higher level of resistance to BB than the restorer lines and derived hybrids having only one of the resistance genes. The pyramided double resistance lines and their derived hybrids have the same high level of resistance to BB. These results clearly indicate that pyramiding of dominant genes is a useful approach for improving BB resistance in hybrid rice.     

Development of elite rice restorer lines in the genetic background of R022 possessing tolerance to brown planthopper, stem borer, leaf folder and herbicide through marker-assisted breeding

Rice leaf folder, stem borer and brown planthopper (BPH) are the most devastating rice insect pests. Developing and planting insect-resistant rice varieties is the most economical and effective measure for controlling these pests. BPH can be controlled with native BPH-resistance genes in rice, while at present rice leaf folder and stem borer can only be controlled through planting transgenic Bt rice. In this study, the breeding of a new restorer line KR022 possessing stacked BPH-resistance genes Bph14 and Bph15, Bt gene cry1C and glufosinate-resistance gene bar, is reported for the first time. A rice restorer line R022 with BPH-resistance genes Bph14 and Bph15 was used as a recurrent parent to cross with the transgenic rice T1C-19 of cry1C and bar genes during the breeding process. The restorer line KR022 was developed from the backcross populations of R022 and T1C-19 through molecular marker-assisted selection and glufosinate-resistance selection. The cry1C and bar genes were found to integrate on chromosome 11 of KR022, and the genome recovery of KR022 was up to 95.8 % of the R022 genome. The quantification of Cry1C protein expression showed that it was expressed at different levels in the leaf, stem, panicle, endosperm, and root of KR022 and its hybrid rice. The insect-resistance evaluation indicated that KR022 and its hybrid rice had good resistance to rice leaf folder and stem borer, both in laboratory settings and in the field. Furthermore, they exhibited increased resistance to BPH at both the seedling and mature stage. The field trial showed there was no significant difference in key agronomic traits between KR022 and its recurrent parent R022, and four hybrids from KR022 yield much higher than the control II-You 838. Moreover, KR022 and its hybrid rice were found to have resistance to the herbicide glufosinate. These results demonstrate that KR022 is effective as a rice restorer line for the breeding of “green super rice”, possessing multiple tolerances to rice BPH, stem borer, leaf folder and glufosinate.     

Introgression of bacterial blight resistance genes Xa7, Xa21, Xa22 and Xa23 into hybrid rice restorer lines by molecular marker-assisted selection

Four bacterial blight (BB) resistance genes, Xa7, Xa21, Xa22 and Xa23, were introgressed into an elite hybrid rice restorer line Huahui 1035, by marker-assisted selection (MAS). Ten promising BB resistant lines identified by MAS approach in Huahui 1035 restorer background and their respective F₁ hybrids with a cytoplasmic male sterile line i.e. Jinke 1A, three BB resistant gene donors and their recurrent parent were evaluated for BB resistance by inoculating them with eleven representative races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) in China. Further, the ten marker assisted selection of BB (MAS-BB) resistant restorer lines and their F₁ hybrids were also characterized for agro-morphological traits and grain yield. Results revealed that restorer lines with Xa23 introgression i.e. HBQ809 and HBQ810 were found to be resistant to all eleven Chinese representative Xoo races, showing broad spectrum resistance to BB. However, the lines possessing Xa7 or Xa7+Xa21 were resistant to ten out of eleven Xoo races. While restorer lines with Xa21 were resistant to nine out of eleven Xoo races. Interestingly, the F₁ hybrids with Xa23, Xa7 or Xa7+Xa21 were resistant to two severe epidemic Xoo races of China. Restorer lines i.e. HBQ807 and HBQ808 possessing Xa22 were only resistant to six or five out of inoculated eleven Xoo races. Lesion length comparisons between restorer lines and their F₁ hybrids for the above four BB resistance genes showed them to be dominant in heterozygote genotype. Three promising high yielding F₁ hybrids with BB resistance were identified for immediate exploitation for hybrid rice production in China.     

水稻抗白叶枯病基因Xa21转基因水稻及其杂交稻研究

用基因枪转基因技术将高抗白叶枯病的Xa21基因导入中国三系杂交稻恢复系(明恢63)和保持系(皖B)中，获得转基因水稻系，其中4个株系只含有Xa21基因，不含选择标记潮霉素抗性基因hph。筛选抗白叶枯病转基因纯合系，在田间种植6代，用PCR检测证明，Xa21基因能稳定遗传表达。用转基因水稻配制两系杂交稻，杂交组合F1含有Xa21基因     

利用分子标记辅助选择改良93-11对白叶枯病和螟虫抗性

93-11是我国生产上应用面积较大的两系恢复系,同时又是红莲型三系杂交水稻恢复系之一,其组配的超级杂交稻两优培九和三系杂交稻红莲优6号,具有优质高产等特性。为了进一步提高其对白叶枯病的抗性、同时增加其对水稻鳞翅目害虫(如稻纵卷叶螟、二化螟和三化螟等)抗性,利用常规回交育种方法和结合分子标记辅助选择将Xa21基因和Bt基因同时导入93-11中,在BC3F,家系中筛选到8个家系含纯合的Xa21基因和Bt基因,其中有两个家系与93-11比较其遗传背景的回复率很高,达到90．59％。在正常的田间条件下,改良的93-11(Bt)、93-11(Xa21)和93-11(Bt／Xa21)与原始的93-11表现出相似的农艺性状,且带有Xa21基因的株系及其杂交种均对白叶枯病显示出很高的抗性。在自然诱发螟虫条件下,带有Bt基因的株系及其杂交种没有受到螟虫危害。这一结果表明,通过分子标记辅助选择将多个基因同时导入某一改良亲本,结合常规育种方法选择,具有快速、良好遗传改良效果。这一遗传改良材料在农艺性状和配合力等方面基本保持了93-11及其杂交组合的主要特征特性,拓宽和增强了其对白叶枯病的抗谱和抗病能力,增加了93-11作为恢复系所配杂交水稻的抗螟虫特性,具有较好的应用前景。     

不同Xa21转基因杂交稻组合的大田试验与分析

在北京、四川和江苏等地对Xa21转基因杂交稻进行了大田释放实验. 分别对转基因纯合的3个恢复系明恢63-Xa21、盐恢559-Xa21和C418-Xa21与各种不育系配组的23个杂交组合进行了抗性和农艺性状分析. 在不同的杂合遗传背景下转基因Xa21稳定遗传和高效表达, 所有杂交组合均具有对白叶枯病的广谱抗性. 转基因恢复系配制的杂交组合与     

Introgression of Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21 for resistance to bacterial blight in thermosensitive genetic male sterile rice (Oryza sativa L.) for the development of two-line hybrids

Bacterial blight (BB) of rice caused by X. oryzae pv. oryzae is a major production constraint in commercial hybrid rice production in the Philippines because most of the parental lines used in hybrid production do not carry resistance genes against the pathogen. In this study, three bacterial blight resistance genes, Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21, were introgressed to a temperature-sensitive genetic male sterile (TGMS1) line. A three-way cross of AR32-19-3-3/TGMS1//IRBB4/7 (PR36944) was made to produce 1,364 F₂ plants carrying various combinations of Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21. Individual plants were characterized for reaction to bacterial blight PXO61 (race 1), PXO86 (race 2), PXO99 (race 6) and pollen sterility. Of 144 F₂ plants demonstrating resistance against PXO61, PXO86 and PXO99, 22 exhibited highly resistant phenotypes with mean lesion lengths ranging from 0.37–2.97 cm. Analysis of disease reaction identified 20 potential TGMS F₂ plants containing Xa4, Xa7 and Xa21 while 78 plants with Xa4 + Xa7. Phenotypic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses confirmed PR36944-450, PR36944-473 and PR36944-700 as homozygous for Xa7 and Xa21 and highly resistant to all three Xoo races. Fertility of PR36944-450 and PR36944-700 was restored at permissive temperature in a growth chamber. BB-resistant TGMS lines should facilitate breeding two-line hybrids in the tropics.     

Development of broad‐spectrum bacterial blight resistance into thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile lines

Two‐line hybrid rice technology is an effective way to increase rice production and improve rice quality. In this study, three bacterial blight (BB) resistance genes, Xa7, Xa21 and Xa23, were introgressed separately into C815S, a popular thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) line to develop five BB‐resistant lines (Hua1005S, Hua1002S, Hua1009S, Hua1006S and Hua1001S) to be resistant against seven races of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). The two‐line hybrids with heterozygous Xa23 were resistant against seven Xoo strains. But, the hybrids with heterozygous loci for both Xa7 and Xa21 were only resistant against three Xoo strains and were moderately susceptible to the other four strains indicating the role of modifiers influencing the poor expression of dominant BB resistance genes under heterozygous state. Among them, Hua1006S was found to be a promising TGMS line with its higher degree of disease resistance level on account of broad‐spectrum resistance gene Xa23 besides possessing better plant type and rice grain quality features.     

Pyramiding of insect- and disease-resistance genes into an elite indica, cytoplasm male sterile restorer line of rice,'Minghui 63'

The wild‐rice‐derived dominant gene Xa21 conferring multi‐race resistance to bacterial blight and a fused Bt gene cry1Ab/cry1Ac conferring resistance to lepidopteran insects were individually introduced into the same genetic background of an elite indica cytoplasm male sterile (CMS) restorer line ‘Minghui 63′. The line showed the desirable insect‐ and disease‐resistant phenotypes. To maximize the effect, the two genes were also pyramided into the same recipient plant of ‘Minghui 63’ by marker‐assisted selection. After being subjected to natural infestation of leaf‐folders and yellow stem borers and inoculation of Xoo strain mixtures, the pyramiding line and its derived hybrids showed high levels of resistance against both insect damage and disease. Furthermore, data from field trials demonstrated that the hybrids made by crossing this pyramiding line with the CMS lines ‘Zhenshan 97A’ and ‘Maxie A’ retained a similar level of yield under conditions without chemical spray, indicating that the pyramiding genes have a yield‐stabilizing effect on the recipient line and its hybrids.     

Inheritance and field performance of transgenic Korean Bt rice lines resistant to rice yellow stem borer

Transgenic Korean rice plants containing the cry1Ab gene were developed for resistance against yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas, YSB). More than 100 independent transgenic lines from three Korean varieties (P-I, P-II and P-III) were generated. The amount of Cry1Ab in transgenic T₀ plants was as high as 2.88% of total soluble proteins. These levels were sufficient to cause 100% mortality of YSB larvae. The majority of T₁ transgenic lines originated from the varieties P-I and P-II followed a Mendelian fashion of segregation. Deviation from the expected segregation ratio was observed in a small number of the transgenic lines of P-I and P-II origins. However, this deviation was primarily observed in the P-III originated lines. Segregation analysis of the T₁ generation indicated that 1–3 copies of the cry1Ab gene were integrated into the genome of the majority of the transgenic lines originating from varieties P-I and P-II. Stunted and semi-fertile mutants were observed in some transgenic lines. These aberrations were either independent or closely linked to the introduced cry1Ab gene loci in different transgenic lines. Reduction in GUS expression levels and loss of toxicity against YSB larvae were found in some transgenic lines. The transgenic T₃ and T₄ lines causing 100% mortality of third instar YSB larvae in the lab were completely protected in the field. Analysis of important yield components on nine selected transgenic lines indicated that stem length, panicle length, grain number per panicle, and seed setting rates were reduced in transgenic plants compared to those in non-transgenic parental rice lines. Number of panicles per cluster, however, was significantly higher in transgenic plants. The numerical value of the average yield was in general greater in the controls than in all the transgenic lines, indicating some ‘yield drag’. Since some selected lines were highly resistant to the YSB with good yielding potential, they offer effective potential for use in insect resistance management programs.     

Improving bacterial blight resistance of'6078', an elite restorer line of hybrid rice, by molecular marker-assisted selection

Bacterial blight (BB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (X00), is one of the most devastating diseases of rice world‐wide; it is also a serious problem of hybrid rice production in China. In this study, a molecular marker‐assisted introgression of Xa21, a gene highly resistant to a broad spectrum of Xoo strains, from ‘IRBB21’ was performed to improve the BB resistance of‘6078′, a new restorer line with high yielding potential. The entire process took one generation of crossing followed by three generations of backcrossing and one generation of selfing. The presence of Xa21 in each generation was determined by both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pathogen inoculation. Recombinations between Xa21 and flanking markers were identified by PCR analysis. Background selection was conducted in BC₁F₁ and BC₂F₁ using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers detecting a total of 129 polymorphic bands between‘6078’ and ‘IRBB21′. The individual selected in BC₃F₂, or‘6078′(Xa21), carried a fragment of less than 3.8 cM from the donor line in the Xa21 region on chromosome 11, and about 98.8% of the genetic background from the recurrent parent. The results showed that‘6078′(Xa21) had the same level and spectrum of BB resistance as the donor parent ‘IRBB21′, while maintaining the agronomic performance and combining ability of the original 6078. A significant increase in BB resistance was also achieved in the hybrid using 6078(Xa21) as the restorer line.     

利用Bt基因和Xa21基因转化获得抗螟虫、白叶枯病的转基因水稻

利用水稻的愈伤组织作受体, 采用PIG基因枪法, 首先成功地将Bt基因[cryIA(b)]连同抗除草剂bar基因导入栽培水稻品种中国91, 选育出纯合稳定的株系T91系. 然后将T91系与黄淮区主栽品种豫粳6号杂交, 并辅以标记基因选择, 选育出纯合稳定、综合性状优良的转Bt基因株系C48. 利用农杆菌介导的转化系统将Xa21基因转入C48, 根据标记     

聚合稻瘟病、白叶枯病和褐飞虱抗性基因的三系恢复系改良效果的评价

结合分子标记辅助轮回选择和田间鉴定的方法, 将三黄占2号的抗稻瘟病基因Pi-GD-1(t)和Pi-GD-2(t)(分别简称G1和G2)、CBB23中的抗白叶枯病基因Xa23 (简称X)和IR65482-7-216-1-2-B(简称IR65482)的抗褐飞虱基因Bph18(t) (简称B)导入温恢845、温恢117和温恢143等3个中籼恢复系,获得了8个兼抗稻瘟病和褐飞虱聚合系,温恢845-G1-G2-B-4、温恢845-G1-G2-B-5、温恢117-G1-G2-X-B-3、温恢143-G1-G2-B-3、温恢143-G2-X-B-9、温恢143-G2-X-B-10、温恢143-G1-G2-B-11和温恢143-G1-G2-B-37。这些聚合系及其与不育系五丰A的测交种,对稻瘟病和褐飞虱的抗性水平接近或略低于稻瘟病抗性亲本三黄占2号和稻飞虱抗性亲本IR65482。部分改良恢复系如温恢117-G1-G2-X-B-3、温恢143-G2-X-B-9和温恢143-G2-X-B-10及其测交种对白叶枯病表现为抗病或中抗。改良恢复系及其测交种在正常条件下的农艺性状与原始恢复系及其测交种相仿或更优,具有生产应用价值。研究结果表明,Xa23在不同恢复系背景下抗性表达完全,而Pi-GD-1(t)、Pi-GD-2(t)和Bph18(t)对稻瘟病和褐飞虱抗性的改良效果与恢复系的遗传背景有关。     

Quality variations in transgenic rice with a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis

In order to estimate the potential of transgenic rice, characteristics related to grain quality and starch viscosity were investigated in six japonica lines based on three primary transgenic lines containing a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis. No significant differences were found between the transgenic lines and the wild type, including negative lines and an untransformed line. All six transgenic lines were comparable in size, milling quality, appearance quality and physicochemical properties to the wild type that were derived from. One exception was that the lines derived from the primary transgenic line TR0‐101 had smaller grains. Crude protein contents were equivalent in all the material tested, but Cry1Ab protein was only detected in grains of transgenic rice and was undetectable in the cooked rice. The viscosity of the starch differed between the transgenic lines, the wild type and other controls, and two transgenic lines had breakdown values (BDV) and setback values (SBV) similar to the wild type. A positional effect of T‐DNA insertion on starch viscosity was found in three primary transgenic lines.     

Integrating marker assisted background analysis with foreground selection for identification of superior bacterial blight resistant recombinants in Basmati rice

Basmati rice is highly susceptible to bacterial blight (BB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Transfer of BB resistance genes from non‐Basmati sources to Basmati through cross‐hybridization requires strict monitoring for recovery of the desirable Basmati quality traits in the recombinants, which show complex inheritance pattern. We integrated background analysis using mapped microsatellite markers with foreground selection to identify superior lines that combine useful genes from a non‐Basmati BB resistance donor line IRBB55 with grain and cooking quality characteristics of the popular Basmati rice variety ‘Pusa Basmati 1’ (PB 1) employing backcross pedigree strategy. Foreground selection using linked markers ensured presence of two genes, xa13 and Xa21 for BB resistance from IRBB55, and the recurrent parent PB 1 allele for the waxy locus giving intermediate amylose content and maintainer allele at fertility restorer locus in the BC₁F₅ recombinants. Background analysis enabled selection of recombinants with recurrent parent genome to the extent of 86.3% along with the quality traits. The extent of introgression of non‐Basmati donor chromosome segments in the superior selections was estimated to be < 7.8 Mb and < 6.7 Mb in the xa13 and Xa21 linked genomic regions, respectively. Association mapping identified three quantitative trait loci, one each for 1000‐grain weight, fertile grains/panicle and cooked kernel length. The backcross‐pedigree breeding strategy facilitated recovery of additional desirable characteristics from the donor in some of the selections. The elite selection Pusa 1460‐01‐32‐6‐7‐67 with maximum genomic background and quality characteristics of the recurrent Basmati parent gave resistance reaction against BB, similar to that of the non‐Basmati resistant check variety and recorded an yield advantage of 11.9% over the best check in the multiplication agronomic trial in the Basmati growing region of India. This line, which has been released as a new variety in the name of ‘Improved Pusa Basmati 1’ for commercial cultivation in India, is an example of successful application of marker assisted selection to variety development.     

Expression levels of three bacterial blight resistance genes against K3a race of Korea by molecular and phenotype analysis in japonica rice (O. sativa L.)

Bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a destructive disease of rice in the major rice growing countries of Asia. In 2003, a serious bacterial blight epidemic occurred in the southwestern coastal areas in Korea, causing significant yield loss due to the emergence of a new race, K3a. IR24 near-isogenic lines containing Xa4, xa5, Xa7 and Xa21 genes conferred different degrees of resistance to the most virulent K3a isolate, HB01009 in an inoculation experiment in the greenhouse. Expression levels of the resistance genes, Xa4, xa5 and Xa21 were studied in two F2 populations derived from the crosses between elite japonica cultivars and an advanced backcross breeding line possessing Xa4, xa5 and Xa21 genes. F₂ progenies segregated for K3a resistance (R) and susceptible (S) phenotypes in a ratio of 3(R):1(S) indicated that K3a resistance was controlled by a major dominant gene. Three PCR markers tightly linked to the resistance genes Xa4, xa5 and Xa21 confirmed the presence of the genes and their interaction with each gene. This study demonstrated that the Xa21 gene dominantly contributed to K3a resistance. However, the Xa4 gene also contributed to the full expression of resistance. The level of expression of strong resistance to K3a race was attributed to the presence of Xa21 and Xa4 genes irrespective of the presence of xa5 gene. Our results suggest that the R-gene combinations of Xa4+Xa21 could be a useful and effective strategy toward improving resistance to K3a race of Korean japonica cultivars.     

水稻转录因子WRKY68在Xa21介导的抗白叶枯病反应中发挥正调控作用

白叶枯病是一种严重影响水稻产量的细菌性病害。Xa21是第一个克隆的抗白叶枯病基因,具有广谱抗性,在水稻抗病育种中被广泛应用。转录因子的鉴定对解析Xa21介导的水稻抗白叶枯病分子机制具有重要意义。本研究构建了Xa21背景下的WRKY68-RNAi转基因水稻。与受体材料4021相比,转基因水稻中WRKY68蛋白质丰度下调,接种白叶枯病菌(Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Xoo)后抗病性下降,证明WRKY68基因在Xa21介导的抗白叶枯病反应中发挥正调控作用。此外,转基因受体材料4021和感病对照TP309接种后不同时期和部位叶片中WRKY68的蛋白质丰度没有显著差异,表明WRKY68蛋白质的表达不受抗病基因Xa21和病原物Xoo诱导,推测其功能主要是调控下游基因的表达。WRKY68-RNAi转基因水稻接种后, PR1A、PR5、PR10A、PR-pha和PAL1等病程相关蛋白质表达丰度发生变化,表明相关基因可能在WRKY68基因的调控下参与下游抗病反应。     

Marker‐assisted introgression of bacterial blight and blast resistance into IR 58025B,an elite maintainer line of rice

IR 58025A is a very popular wild‐abortive cytoplasmic male sterile (WA‐CMS) line of rice and is extensively used for hybrid rice breeding. However, IR 58025A and many hybrids derived from it possess mild aroma (undesirable in some parts of India) and are highly susceptible to bacterial blight (BB) and blast diseases. To improve IR 58025A for BB and blast resistance, we have introgressed a major dominant gene conferring resistance against BB (i.e. Xa21) and blast (i.e. Pi54) into IR 58025B, the maintainer line of IR 58025A. An introgression line of Samba Mahsuri (i.e. SM2154) possessing Xa21 and Pi54 genes in homozygous condition and fine‐grain type was used as donor parent, and backcross breeding strategy was adopted for targeted introgression of the resistance genes. PCR‐based molecular markers tightly linked to Xa21 and Pi54 were used for selection of BB‐ and blast‐resistant lines, while closely linked markers were used for identification of backcross‐derived plants devoid of Rf4 and aroma. At BC₂F₅, four backcross‐derived lines possessing resistance against BB and blast, devoid of aroma, high yield, short plant stature, long‐slender grain type and with recurrent parent genome recovery ranging from 88.8% to 98.6% were selected and advanced for further evaluation. The improved versions of IR 58025B, viz. SB54‐11‐143‐9‐44‐5, SB54‐11‐143‐9‐44‐98, SB54‐11‐143‐9‐44‐111 and SB54‐11‐143‐9‐44‐171, behaved as perfect maintainers when test‐crossed with WA‐CMS lines. Agronomically superior lines of improved IR 58025B are being converted to CMS line through backcrossing for developing high‐yielding and biotic stress‐resistant rice hybrids.     

Out-crossing frequency and genetic analysis of hybrids between transgenic glufosinate herbicide-resistant rice and the weed, red rice

The potential of transferring herbicide resistance from transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to sexually compatible weeds is of paramount importance for development of effective weed control strategies. The objective of this research was to determine the genetic control and frequency of natural outcrossing between a transgenic, glufosinate-resistant rice line and a Louisiana biotype of red rice (Oryza sativa L.). Molecular and phenotypic data showed that outcrossing in field plots between a non-transgenic purple marker line and red rice did occur within one field season, but at a low rate of <1%. Similarly, molecular and phenotypic data demonstrated that glufosinate resistance was transferred from the transgenic line to the red rice biotype in the field within one year at a low frequency of 0.3%. Compared to parental lines, the transgenic-red rice hybrids were extremely late, tall, and never set seed during the normal field season. Genetic analyses in all F₂ populations showed glufosinate resistance behaved in a Mendelian fashion as a single, dominant gene. Presence of the bar gene for glufosinate resistance did not increase fitness or seed fecundity in hybrids or subsequent progeny. The genetic analyses and outcrossing results from this study suggest that an effective management program can be developed to prolong the usefulness of transgenic, glufosinate herbicide technology. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.