Overexpression of CSP41b Enhances Resistance to Sheath Blight in Rice (PRJCA041242)

The chloroplast RNA-binding protein gene CSP41b is essential for maintaining chloroplast function, and its loss-of-function mutants develop leaf chlorosis and growth retardation. Studies indicate that CSP41b confers stress tolerance, as its overexpression enhances heat and salinity stress tolerance in transgenic plants. In this study, CSP41b-overexpressing lines not only exhibited significantly enhanced resistance to sheath blight but also improved drought and salinity tolerance. Notably, these transgenic lines showed no alterations in plant architecture or yield-related traits relative to wild-type, demonstrating high breeding potential.