Hybrid rice research and development in Pakistan

Abstract

Having convinced of the potential of hybrid rice, Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku began a research project with the objectives to evaluate local and exotic genetic material for their use in hybrid rice breeding programme; to evaluate existing hybrids for yield, adaptability and grain quality and to initiate hybrid rice breeding for the development of parental lines. From 1993 to 2006, 800 exotic rice hybrids were evaluated for yield, adaptability and heterosis. Heterosis of hybrids varied from 8 to 142% over local check variety KS 282. A number of exotic hybrids out yielded the check variety but could not be popularized due to their poor cooking qualities. Six hundred eight test crossed were evaluated. The Institute has 22 CMS lines, 38 restorers and 52 maintainers from 608 testcrosses. Local germplasm have the more frequency of maintainers than restorers. IR58025A, IR79156A, IR68897A, IR68886A, IR73328A, IR75596A, IR70369A and IR79128A were selected for the development of hybrid rice on the basis of their better floral and agronomic characteristics. So far, ten rice hybrids have been developed and evaluated for yield and grain quality characteristics. Highest seed yield of > 1.24 t ha-1 was recorded in row ratio 2:10. These accomplishments have encouraged the rice scientists and the policy makers to develop and use hybrid rice technology in Pakistan. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.