Searching of new gene donors for high Fe and Zn content from Indonesian rice varieties

Abstract

Abstract High Fe and Zn content rice varieties are believed to be effective in reducing the high prevalence of deficiencies. Searching gene donors for high Fe and Zn content is required to further increase the Fe and Zn content of the existing varieties. This preliminary study that was conducted aiming to quantify the Fe and Zn content of rice genotypes of various local (set I) and released (set II) varieties in Indonesia. Set I experiment was conducted in 2014 in 328 Indonesian local variety measured using an ED XRF machine at the ICRR laboratory in Subang. Set II experiment was conducted in 32 rice genotypes using T XRF machine at BRIN laboratory in Bandung in 2022. The results showed the existence of variation of Fe and Zn content among local and improved varieties indicating the potential of breeding efforts to increase Fe/Zn content. Set I with more huge numbers of genotypes showed normal distribution for both Fe and Zn content but not for set II. Fe and Zn content were positively correlated in both sets. Further trial with replications at the same planting environment and uniform method is required to confirm these results.