Analysis of Trait Variation and Correlations in Hybrid Rice Seed Production Using CMS Breeding Techniques

 Riya Pal^1* and Chand Kumar Santra²

¹Department of Botany, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal, India.

²Department. of Agriculture (Research Wing), Government of West Bengal, Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, Hooghly, West Bengal, India

Corresponding Author E-mail: riya.pal20@gmail.com

Abstract:

Imperfect panicle emergence in Cytoplasmic Male Sterile (CMS) lines is a hindrance for hybrid rice seed (F₁) production. In CMS lines 10-15% of spikelets remaining enclosed within the flag leaf. This limits their availability for outcrossing, thereby reducing the efficiency of hybrid rice seed production. To mitigate this issue, the application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) is a common practice. However, the high cost of GA₃ poses a significant barrier for middle-class farmers involved in hybrid rice seed production. This study aims to identify low-cost chemical alternatives to GA₃. We evaluated ten different treatments, including a control, on CMS (A) line rice plants. Our findings indicate that penicillin is the most effective treatment, offering high yield at a reduced cost. According to the yield component, treatment-2 (penicillin) reflected grain yield 71.26 g plant ^-1 which is highest among all the treatments.  Potassium dichromate also performed well in promoting panicle emergence. Characters showing positive and significant correlations among different traits are expected to improve yield and can be selected for further advancement in hybrid rice seed production.

Keywords:

Chemical alternatives; Correlation; CMS; F₁; Panicle emergence; Penicillin

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