TPS10 contributes to linalool emission in rice in response to brown planthopper infestation

Terpenoids, a prominent class of herbivore-induced plant volatiles, play a crucial role in plant responses to insect attacks. However, the precise ecological functions of individual terpene synthases in rice defense mechanisms remain unclear.

The level of OsTPS10 expression was greatly increased 24 h following infestation by the brown planthopper (BPH). To explore the function of OsTPS10, rice lines with OsTPS10 knockout and overexpression were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, respectively. Enzyme activity tests confirmed that OsTPS10 encodes a monoterpene synthase that converts geranyl diphosphate to linalool. Following BPH infestation, linalool emissions in the overexpression lines increased significantly from 0.0438% to 0.1537%, whereas the knockout lines showed a reduction in volatile emissions. Although modification of OsTPS10 expression did not affect plant growth or key physiological characteristics, it significantly changed the volatile emission profile of the rice plants. Notably, the overexpression lines exhibited enhanced resistance-related responses to BPH, as evidenced by reduced plant damage and changes in insect behavior. In addition, increased expression of OsTPS10 reduced the susceptibility of rice plants to sheath blight under controlled conditions. These findings suggest that OsTPS10-related volatile production may contribute to rice defense against both herbivores and pathogens without compromising growth.

Our findings provide valuable insights into the role of terpene-mediated responses in rice plants during interactions with BPH, highlighting OsTPS10 as a promising target for future research on sustainable pest management and resistance breeding. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.