An LRR-truncated NLR natural variant confers dual resistance to drought and blast in rice

Nature Communications, Published online: 22 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-76840-6 Genetic resources with combined resistance to drought and blast disease are scarce. Here, the authors identify NLR8-Hap2, a natural allele of the rice NLR gene NLR8 that encodes an LRR-truncated protein, and show that it enhances resistance to both stresses by stabilizing two distinct transcription factors.