Marker-assisted selection for pyramiding of three blast resistance genes in rice variety Jhelum

The variety Jhelum has been predominantly grown across Kashmir province owing to its high yielding ability (7 t/ha) and preferred cooking quality attributes. Unfortunately the variety succumbed to rice blast which formed the reason for its declining area. Jhelum was crossed to a three gene donor for blast resistance namely, DHMAS70Q164-1b carrying genes, Pi54, Pi1 and Pita. The backcross populations were derived and evaluated for various agronomical, kernel traits and physico-chemical attributes. The BC_nF_n plants selected on the basis of desirable agronomic and quality traits were subjected to foreground selection. The gene based/linked markers viz., RM206, RM224 and RM247 were effectively used for foreground selection in various backcross derived families. The final selected lines were at par with RP for traits KLBC, KLAC and KER and carried single, two and three gene combinations in homozygous and heterozygous form in BC₁F₂ and BC₂F₁ generations, respectively. With the inclusion of marker-assisted background selection the backcross derived blast resistant lines having desired quality attributes shall be utilized to generate advance backcross families for development of gene pyramided lines carrying blast resistance in the genetic background of a popular cultivar Jhelum.