A rice gene that confers broad-spectrum resistance to β-triketone herbicides.

The genetic variation of rice cultivars provides a resource for further varietal improvement through breeding. Some rice varieties are sensitive to benzobicyclon (BBC), a β-triketone herbicide that inhibits 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD). Here we identify a rice gene, (), that confers resistance to BBC and other β-triketone herbicides. We show that encodes an Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase that detoxifies β-triketone herbicides by catalyzing their hydroxylation. Genealogy analysis revealed that BBC-sensitive rice variants inherited a dysfunctional allele from an rice variety. Forced expression of in conferred resistance not only to BBC but also to four additional β-triketone herbicides. may prove useful for breeding herbicide-resistant crops.