Evaluation of Recombinant Inbred Lines for Higher Iron and Zinc Content Along with Yield and Quality Parameters in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is one of the most important staple food crops for billions of people throughout the world. It is the cheapest source of dietary energy, protein and minerals for people but poor in micronutrients such as Fe and Zn to eliminate “hidden hunger”. In the present study, a population of 126recombinant inbred lines developed from a cross between Lemont X Satabdi (IET 4786) were used to identify high iron and zinc content coupled with yield and yield attributing traits. Analysis of Variance revealed that a considerable variation in iron and zinc existed among genotypes. The correlation study revealed that number of filled grain was positively associated with panicle length and yield per plant and number of panicles, but no significant positive correlation was observed between grain zinc content and iron content. Zinc and iron content of rice was estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the samples were prepared by tri-acid digestion method. Among RIL lines, the line 57, 97, 120, 48, 99, 124 contained more than 30 ppm Fe and the lines 24, 6, 9, 23, 29, 125 were found to possess more than 50 ppm Zn. The lines 9, 6, 48 and 57 were recorded to be high yielding with high zinc and Fe content in grain and in future these four lines look promising for multi location trial also. These high Fe and Zn content genotypes can be utilized in future breeding programme as a donor or good source for bio fortification of rice genotypes.