Validation of SSR markers linked to fertility restoration in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Validation of eight SSR markers reported to be linked to fertility restoration loci in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was studied during kharif 2010 to select 10 male parents for crossing in L x T design with nine new CMS lines developed at ZARS, VC Farm, Mandya to produce 90 rice hybrids. Based on pollen and spikelet fertility of the hybrids studied during summer 2011 all the testers except MSN-75 were identified as effective restorers for all nine CMS lines, while MSN-75 showed maintainer behaviour for CMS lines, KCMS 44A, KCMS 45A, KCMS 47A, KCMS 48A and KCMS 52A. Among the eight markers used, only three markers viz., RM 6100, RM 6344 (both linked to Rf-4) and pRf1 and pRf2 (linked to Rf-1) showed positive association with phenotypic fertility restoration of male parents based on pollen and spikelet fertility of the hybrids. The markers RM 6100 and RM 6344 were found to be linked to Rf-4 locus. These results indicated that Rf-4 and Rf-1 loci are the predominant restoration alleles for CMS lines studied.