Screening of aromatic rice lines by phenotypic and molecular markers

Abstract

To improve the yield potential of local aromatic variety Kalizira, a segregating population was developed from a cross between Y-1281 (high yielding mutant variety) and Kalizira. Thirty two F7 rice lines were used to evaluate agronomic characteristics, aroma detection through sensory test and genotypic analysis using microsatellite markers. Highly significant negative association was found between aroma and grain yield. Nine, 12 and 17 pedigree lines (PLs) having fragrance gene (fgr) locus were found using three SSR markers RM223, RM342A and RM515, respectively as homozygous condition in 32 rice lines. The marker RM515 detected highest number of fgr locus in- PLs. Fourteen promising lines were identified with aroma genes having higher yield with good agronomic performance and other grain quality traits. These SSR markers could be utilized in marker-assisted selection (MAS) and would have a great impact on identifying fgr locus in rice genotypes.