Hybrid rice: status and future in Bangladesh

Abstract

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) started hybrid rice research in 1993 through an informal collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Initial work involved testing F1 hybrids, and evaluating cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and restorer lines received from IRRI. In CMS lines IR58025A and IR62829A, an outcrossing rate of 3% was recorded. The maintainers showed 80-90% spikelet fertility and a number of restorers were also identified. Some well-adapted varieties/lines were identified as maintainers or good restorers for the wild abortive cytosterility system.