Validation of Functional Markers Associated with Genes for Fragrance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The presence of aroma determines the market price of rice and is associated with its local, cultural and national identity. The present study was carried out to validate five fragrance linked functional markers and to evaluate the fragrance locus based molecular diversity among the genotypes of rice. The experimental material consists of 24 genotypes of rice including both aromatic and non-aromatic indica and japonica types. None of the markers was found to differentiate all the fragrant genotypes from the non-fragrant ones with 100% efficacy. The markers could not differentiate fragrant genotypes like Mushk Budgi, Kamad, Kalanamak and Jeera Battis, from non-fragrant ones. Moreover, these fragrant genotypes were clustered with non-fragrant ones. This supports the existence of some other gene responsible for fragrance other than badh2, thereby indicating that aroma in rice is being governed by two or more genes. This also reveals the scope for development of more markers through fine mapping of large number of genotypes or through association mapping for differentiation of aromatic and non-aromatic rice.