Introgression of gene/ QTL into elite rice cultivar for adaption to the climate change through marker-assisted backcrossing

Abstract

Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries affected by submergence stress in Asia. Submergence caused by typhoons and floods is one of the major reasons for rice production losses in the country. Improving rice tolerance with submergence is vital to minimize the risks from submergence stress. Using the marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) method has successfully transferred positive alleles of Sub1 from PSBRc68 into Khang Dan 18. In this study, the authors reported the result of testing the Khang dan 18-Sub1 variety for agronomic and yield component traits at several provinces. The introgressed variety had some typical characteristics, including 125-135 days of growth duration (in the summer season) with good type plants, focus tillering, quick flowering, good exsertion, high tameness, and slight infestation level to diseases. In the field conditions, this cultivar had high yields (6.0-6.5 tons/ha). Finally, the research results clearly indicated that the Khang dan 18-Sub1 variety could become a new rice variety with submergence tolerance, and replace the original Khang Dan 18 variety.