Selection of Restorer Lines in Segregating Populations of Rice

Use of cytoplasmic genetic male sterility system in developing hybrids in grain crops is possible whenever the fertility restorer lines are available. In this study identification and selection of plants performed with restore fertility (Rf) genes in two convergent populations of rice Nemat × Pajohesh // IR58110 × Pajohesh and Nemat × Pajohesh // IR60819 × Pajohesh and two F2 populations of Pajohesh × IR60819 and IR58110 × Pajohesh for two consecutive years. Pajohesh, IR58110 and IR60819 are source parents for Rf genes. Molecular analysis performed on selected lines using linked SSR markers RM171, RM3148, RM1 and RM258 to Rf genes. Ten out of 45 lines were identified as suspected restorers using SSR markers RM171, RM3148 and RM258. Combining the results of pollen and spikes fertility tests and molecular studies demonstrate that lines R5, R7, R9, R28 and R45 are potential restorers. These lines promise to develop new restorer rice lines in near future in Iran