Genic control of anther indehiscence in rice

Complete indehiscence of anthers containing fertile pollen that is accompanied with exertion of stigmas outside the hull would be useful in hybrid rice technology. Anther indehiscence was studied in P₁ = WAB450-5-1-BL1-DV6 (DV6), P₂ = JASMINE85 (J85), F₁ = DV6/J85, BC_1a = DV6/J85//DV6. BC_1b = DV6/J85//J85. BC_1aF₁ = Selfed BC_1a, BC_1bF₁ = Selfed BC_1b, BC_1aF₁//DV6, BC_1aF₁//J85, BC_1bF₁//DV6 and BC_1bF₁//J85. Normal dehiscence was observed in all P₁, P₂, BC_1aF₁, BC_1bF₁, BC_1aF₁//DV6 and BC_1bF₁//J85 individuals. Complete anther indehiscence was observed in all F₁, BC_1aF₁//J85 and BC_1bF₁//DV6 individuals. Individuals in BC_1a and BC_1b segregated anther dehiscence: indehiscence to a ratio of 1: 7 with ϰ² values of 0.07 and 0.36 respectively. Florets with indehisced anthers always had stigmas exerted outside the hull. whilst stigmas were enclosed within the hull for florets with dehisced anthers. except for BC_1bF₁//J85. For BC_1bF₁//J85 stigmas were outside the hull and anthers exhibited delayed dehiscence. It is postulated that 3 complimentary genes control anther indehlscence in rice. Anthers dehisce when all 3 genes exist in the homozygous state. but indehiscence results If one. two or all 3 genes exist in the heterozygous state. Anther indehiscence is probably related to exertion of stigmas outside the hull which adapts such plants for cross-pollination. Suitable genetic terminology for such behaviour has to be coined, and gene symbols have to be given to these 3 genes.