A WRKY transcription factor confers broad-spectrum resistance to biotic stresses and yield stability in rice.

Plants are subject to attack by diverse pests and pathogens. Few genes conferring broad-spectrum resistance to both insects and pathogens have been identified. Because of the growth-defense tradeoff, it is often challenging to balance biotic stress resistance and yield for crops. Here, we report that suppresses the resistance to insects and pathogens via transcriptional repression of (), a key enzyme in phenylpropanoid pathway in rice. Knocking out causes elevated lignin biosynthesis and increased sclerenchyma thickness of leaf sheath, leading to enhanced resistance to multiple pests and pathogens. Additionally, loss of also derepresses the transcription of () and (), resulting in increased spikelet number per panicle and tiller number. These findings provide mechanistic insights into biotic stress tolerance in rice and offer a promising strategy to breed rice cultivars with broad-spectrum resistance to insects and pathogens while maintaining stable yield.