Marker aided selection (MAS) for qualitative traits in segregating F2 populations of rice

• Main Authors: Hajiaqatabar A., Kiani G., Kazemitabar S.K., Alavi M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serbian Genetics Society 2019-01-01
• Series: Genetika
• Subjects: aroma; markers; quality; rice; screening
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0534-0012/2019/0534-00121903031H.pdf
• ISSN: 0534-0012; 1820-6069

The selection and screening of desirable traits at early stages of plant development is possible with the advancement of marker assisted selection (MAS). Marker aided selection can be used for monitoring the presence or absence of genes in breeding populations and can be combined with conventional breeding approaches. In this study, crosses between high-yielding cultivar, Nemat, with 4 local aromatic varieties were made followed by phenotypic selection for desirable individual plants in F2 populations. Then, MAS applied to genotypic selection of aromatic plants using allele specific amplification (ASA) marker for fragrance (fgr) and SSR marker RM190 linked with intermediate amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC) and gelatinization temperature (GT) in these populations. Molecular screening based on RM190 and fragrance markers showed that 11 lines were homozygous aromatic and 32 lines had desirable cooking quality in segregating F2 population. Results demonstrated that marker assisted selection in F2 segregating populations reduced the time and cost effective for accelerating cultivar development in rice. Further analyses are underway on these plants on subsequent generations through pedigree breeding method. These plants promise to develop new aromatic rice lines through classical and molecular breeding in the near future in Iran.