Field evaluation of marker assisted backcross families introgressed with Pi1 and Pi54 in Intan rice variety

Abstract

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive diseases in all rice growing regions ofIndia. Host plant resistance is the best option for the management of blast disease. Broad spectrum blast resistance genesPi1 and Pi54 were transferred to popular but blast susceptible rice variety, Intan. Homozygous BC1F3 backcross familieswere developed using Intan as recurrent parent and Tetep as donorof Pi1 and Pi54 genes through marker-assisted backcrossbreeding. Homozygous plants in BC1F3 families were identified using genic/tightly linked markers, RM206 (0.6 cM) forPi54 and RM224 (0.0 cM) for Pi1. The present study aimed to evaluate the homozygous backcross families carrying Pi1,Pi54 and Pi1+Pi54 combination forblast resistance, yield and yield related traits under field conditions. During evaluation,marker assisted backcross families showed resistant reactionsto leaf and neck blast disease (0-3 grade) under field as well asartificial inoculation conditions. The analysis of morpho-agronomic performance showed that the majority of the homozygousplants were found to be on par with Intan for grain yield and grain features. Grain yield per plant was found to be positivelycorrelating with days to 50 per cent flowering, number of tillers, number of productive tillers, panicle lengthand filled grainsper panicle and test weight.