Marker-assisted Pyramiding of Bacterial Blight Resistance Genes into ‘Uma’, an Elite Red Rice Variety of Kerala

Abstract

Background: Uma is a high-yielding, popular red-kernelled rice variety of Kerala; however, the occurrence of BB disease often causes severe yield reductions in this cultivar. Host plant resistance based on multiple genes is the most effective measure to impart durable resistance. Hence, efforts were undertaken to introgress the resistance genes, xa 5, xa13 and Xa21, from a BB-resistant variety, ISM, into Uma, using the MABB approach. Methods: Foreground selection was carried out using markers RG 556 and xa5 SR for xa5, RG136 and xa13 promoter for xa13 and pTA248 for Xa21 genes, respectively. The identified R-gene-pyramided plant was subjected to background selection using rice microsatellite markers for recurrent parent genome recovery. The phenotypic evaluation for BB resistance was carried out using the leaf-clipping method following the IRRI standard evaluation system, SES. Result: Molecular analysis of the recurrent parent Uma revealed the endogenous presence of R gene xa 5. The evaluation of BC2F1 lines identified a single plant pyramided with three resistance genes, with xa13 and Xa21 in the heterozygous condition, exhibiting a recurrent parent genome recovery of 70.45% and kernel characteristics similar to those of the Uma. Concurrently, BC1F2 lines generated from the cross were phenotypically screened for BB resistance, also identifying resistance to moderate resistance lines to the BB pathogen. Further advancement of these backcross generations was proposed to isolate gene pyramids homozygous for the resistance genes, with near-complete recurrent parent genome recovery.