Identification of BPH resistant donors from the Global Rice Array- “Antenna IV Panel”genotypes in a glass house environment and Validation using SSR markers

The brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is a major phloem-feeding pest in rice cultivation across Asia, responsible for “hopper burn” and substantial yield reductions. Sustainable management strategies emphasize host-plant resistance to mitigate infestations while maintaining ecological balance. This study assessed the resistance of rice genotypes from the Global Rice Array—specifically, the “Antenna IV’s Panel”—under controlled glasshouse and laboratory conditions. Additionally, SSR marker analysis was conducted to validate resistance-associated loci and identify potential donor lines for breeding programs.The results indicated that genotypes IRRI 154, Sahel 108, IR 93354:34-B-5-1-23-1RGA-1-B-B, along with the susceptible check TN1, exhibited the highest susceptibility to BPH, as reflected in their damage scores. Conversely, genotypes such as IRRI 147, SANHUANGZHAN NO 2, IRRI 104, and NANHI demonstrated the lowest levels of BPH damage, suggesting a higher degree of resistance. Among the 58 evaluated genotypes, 54 exhibited primary resistance, with varying numbers of resistance genes: 21 genotypes carried three resistance genes, 12 possessed five, and nine contained four. However, none of the tested genotypes harbored all major resistance genes, emphasizing the necessity for further breeding efforts to develop more robust BPH-resistant rice varieties.