Abstract
In this study, phenotypic variation and genetic diversity, important factors to decide germplasm for rice breeding, were evaluated among 15 rice mutants attained from the MNU (N-Nitroso-N-methylurea) mutation. The correlation coefficient values among these phenotypic characteristics were calculated. The results showed that full grain number per plant was the most relevant factor contributing to grain yield per plant, and grain length to width ratio was the key parameter affected to amylose content. Furthermore, the genetic variation among mutants was estimated by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers related to amylose content trait. Fifty-six polymorphism markers covering across eleven rice chromosomes were recorded with an average of 3.02 alleles per locus. The average value of polymorphism information content was 0.47. By using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering, four clusters were generated with the genetic similarities ranging from 0.52 to 0.91. The variation among groups was 34%, while the variation among individuals within groups was 66%. Findings of this study provided useful genetic background and phenotypic information of collected rice mutants to breed rice cultivars with improved quality.
Highlights
As an essential food for human beings, rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been widely consumed and planted around the world
These results showed a wide variation among rice mutants
The results showed that both grain yield per plant and amylose content were varied among cultivars and mutant lines
Summary
As an essential food for human beings, rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been widely consumed and planted around the world. 80% of rice production in the world comes from Asian countries [1]. As world population growth and climate change are undeniable, demands for higher yield and better quality rice have become a critical issue [3]. Breeding new rice varieties with improved quality and productivity is an unprecedented challenge [4]. With assistance from biotechnology, rice breeding targets are improving crop productivity, and upgrading quality characteristics through alterations in heredity [5]. Many tremendous efforts and rapid progresses in rice breeding programs have been carried out and received remarkable achievements [6]. New rice varieties have been developed and released with higher yield and quality
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