Improvement of Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) using traditional breeding technology supplemented with molecular markers

The present study was undertaken to combine dwarfism (sd-1) from Pusa-1121 and aroma and resistance against diseases from Khalsa-7 into basmati background (Type-3). The dwarf segregants of the cross (Khalsa 7 X Pusa 1121) with Type-3 were screened under artificially created epiphytotic conditions in order to select plants free from common diseases of rice. Data recorded for yield and physical standards of quality acceptable in the global trade measured in All India Coordinated Trial Research Project (AICRP) trials were used for demonstration. In addition, two separate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies were conducted for detection of resistance against blast. PCR products using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) markers detected resistance against blast in the genotype Vallabh Basmati-21. The Basmati type, disease resistant and promising selections were assessed for lineage with traditional varieties of basmati rice. The resultant genotype VB-21 expressed close molecular lineage with traditional varieties of basmati rice as well. The present study indicated substantial utility of molecular markers to supplement traditional methods of breeding for improvement of basmati rice.