Phenotyping and microsatellite marker analysis of HD 2851 (salt sensitive) × Kharchia 65 (salt tolerant) F2 population for salinity tolerance

Utilizing the available molecular markers for Nax1 and Nax2, the present study was aimed at validating these markers for salt tolerance in Kharchia 65 and then to introgress these loci from Kharchia 65 to HD 2851. F2 lines (grown under saline conditions) containing the Nax loci were selected using a combination of morpho-physiological information and linked molecular markers. Net house evaluation data showed enormous variation among Kharchia 65 × HD 2851 F2 plants including plant height, no. of tillers per plant, ear length, no. of grains/ear, no. of spikelets/spike, grain yield per plant, 1000 grain weight, biological yield/plant and harvest index. Out of 85SSR primers used, 22 SSRs showed polymorphism between Kharchia 65 and HD 2851 parental genotypes. From the net house evaluation data 100 F2 plants were selected. These plants were checked for the presence of Nax loci. Nine plants showed the presence of both the Nax loci. An assessment of distribution of Kharchia 65 and HD 2851 specific alleles for 22 polymorphic SSRs in 9 F2 plants showed that on an average, 71% alleles were from Kharchia 65 and 87.5% alleles were from HD2851.