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A novel 5‐enolpyruvoylshikimate‐3‐phosphate ( EPSP ) synthase transgene for glyphosate resistance stimulates growth and fecundity in weedy rice ( O ryza sativa ) without herbicide
Author(s) -
Wang Wei,
Xia Hui,
Yang Xiao,
Xu Ting,
Si Hong Jiang,
Cai Xing Xing,
Wang Feng,
Su Jun,
Snow Allison A.,
Lu BaoRong
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12428
Subject(s) - weedy rice , biology , oryza sativa , glyphosate , transgene , weed , genetically modified rice , agronomy , herbicide resistance , oryza , genetically modified crops , weed control , gene , genetics
Summary Understanding evolutionary interactions among crops and weeds can facilitate effective weed management. For example, gene flow from crops to their wild or weedy relatives can lead to rapid evolution in recipient populations. In rice ( O ryza sativa ), transgenic herbicide resistance is expected to spread to conspecific weedy rice ( O ryza sativa f. spontanea ) via hybridization. Here, we studied fitness effects of transgenic over‐expression of a native 5‐enolpyruvoylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase ( epsps ) gene developed to confer glyphosate resistance in rice. Controlling for genetic background, we examined physiological traits and field performance of crop–weed hybrid lineages that segregated for the presence or absence of this novel epsps transgene. Surprisingly, we found that transgenic F 2 crop–weed hybrids produced 48–125% more seeds per plant than nontransgenic controls in monoculture‐ and mixed‐planting designs without glyphosate application. Transgenic plants also had greater EPSPS protein levels, tryptophan concentrations, photosynthetic rates, and per cent seed germination compared with nontransgenic controls. Our findings suggest that over‐expression of a native rice epsps gene can lead to fitness advantages, even without exposure to glyphosate. We hypothesize that over‐expressed epsps may be useful to breeders and, if deployed, could result in fitness benefits in weedy relatives following transgene introgression.