Resistance of rice breeding lines to the African rice gall midge and iron toxicity in central Nigeria.

Abstract

Breeding for pests and diseases resistance is a key factor in their management; therefore we evaluated thirteen fixed lines from the cross of FAROS 12 and 44 at Edozhigi and Gara villages both in Niger sate of central Nigeria. The trial was conducted to select promising lines to be usedfor African rice gall midge (AfRGM) and iron toxicity endemic areas. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications at both locations. Data collected include days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle number per m2, grain yield, iron toxicity andAfRGM scores. The result showed significant differences in grain yield between the different lines at Gara but not at Edozhigi. Percentage tiller damage was high in both locations. Toxicity due to iron was moderate for the two locations however higher scores were obtained at Edozhigi. FAROX510-B-15-2-2 was better for iron at Gara while FAROX 510-B-11-1-1 and FAROX 510-B-5-5-4-1-2 were better at Edozhigi. Lines with grain yield above 2 tons /ha could be recommended for AfRGM/iron toxicity rice growing ecologies of Nigeria.