The Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is among the most important crops in the world. The productivity of rice in rainfed regions is constrained by drought. Among the root traits contributing to drought resistance, root system parameters play an important role in the regulation of plant growth through water and nutrient uptake from deep soil layers. The present study was conducted to validate molecular markers known to be associated with maximum root length. Seventy-nine diverse lines and six checks were used. Variation was observed for several root morphological traits viz., maximum root length, total root number, root volume, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, plant height, number of tillers, total dry weight and root to shoot weight ratio. Most of these traits showed significant correlation and appeared interrelated. RAPD and microsatellite primers, which have been established as markers for maximum root length, were used for screening rice genotypes. Single-marker analysis showed significant association between the markers and maximum root length. Thus, these markers can be used for marker-assisted selection in plant breeding programmes involving diverse parents.