Introgression of blast resistance gene in Kalanamak short grain rice variety through marker assisted backcross breeding

Abstract

Blast is the most common biotic stress leading to the reduction of rice yield in many rice-growing areas of the world, including India. Improvement of blast resistance of rice varieties cultivated in blast endemic areas is one of the most important objectives of rice breeding programs. Kalanamak is one of the finest quality scented rice of India (Singh et al., 2003) [21]. Kalanamak rice is affected by blast disease, lodging and submergence intolerance due to which its yield reduces. In this study, the marker-assisted backcrossing strategy was applied to improve the blast resistance of the Kalanamak rice variety by introgressing blast resistance genes from the Tetep (blast resistance) variety. One blast resistance genes, Pi-54 pyramided into Kalanamak. Foreground selection coupled with stringent phenotypic selection identified 12 plants homozygous for the Pi-54 gene, and background selection revealed more than 95% genome recovery of Kalanamak in advanced blast resistant lines. Phenotypic screening against blast disease indicated that advanced homozygous blast resistant lines were strongly resistant. The newly developed blast resistant improved lines will retain the high adoptability of Kalanamak by farmers. The present results will also play an important role in sustaining the short grain aromatic (Kalanamak) rice production for Eastern parts of India.