Functional characterization of the OsSWEET13 promoter involved in the infection of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) in rice cultivar TBR225

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes severe bacterial leaf blight (BLB) disease to many Vietnamese major rice cultivars, including the TBR225. OsSWEET13 belongs to group III of the OsSWEET gene family encoding sugar transport proteins, which is considered one of the “susceptibility” genes (S genes) necessary for BLB disease.