Genetic improvement of Chakhao rice by gene stacking of high-yielding and durable blast-resistant traits

Abstract

Chakhao is a popular pigmented black rice variety with remarkably high anthocyanin content. Due to its susceptibility to various biotic and abiotic stresses, its production has remained low. Here, two genes, Pi54 blast-resistant and OsSPL14, high-yielding genes of rice, were pyramided in a Chakhao landrace by crossing with CR Dhan 307. From a total of 147 F₄ lines developed, 32 were identified with the positive alleles of both genes, of which 16 were black grain coloured, and their total anthocyanin content ranged from 30.19±2.19 to 240.31±2.62 mg 100 g^-1 dried weight. Among these, ChM 68 F₄ line had the highest anthocyanin content (240.31 ± 2.62 mg 100 g^-1 of powdered grain) with more 118.96 mg 100 g^-1 anthocyanin than the recipient parent, CHK13 (121.35±3.32 mg 100 g^-1), making it a promising line to be released as a high-yielding and durable blast-resistant Chakhao variety in Manipur.

Keywords:
Anthocyanin; Chakhao; manipur black rice; ideal plant architecture; Pi54