Rice: Quantitative Genetics and Breeding

After cotton, rice is second export commodity of Pakistan. However, improvement in Basmati rice has been hampering due to its intrinsic genetic makeup. Here, we focused on quantitative genetics of some biometrical traits to understand the convolution of genetic control over 16 yield and yield components. Line × tester analysis showed non-additive gene effects for all traits whereas triple test cross analysis explained non-additive gene effects in the form of j and l types of non-allelic interactions for 13 traits only. Triple test cross analysis also explained joint control of j and l types of epistasis with i type epistasis for the rest of the 3 traits. Several good combiner lines and crosses suitable for the development of cultivars or hybrid varieties were isolated. Use of heterosis breeding, recombination breeding following pedigree method of selection and recurrent selection/bi-parental mating has been proposed on the basis of current genetic analysis for the improvement of Basmati rice.