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Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad (Telangana State)

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2018 - 20196
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Subject: Microbiology × Start date: 2010 × End date: 2019 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MOLECULAR MAPPING OF GENETIC LOCI ASSOCIATED WITH TOLERANCE TO LOW SOIL PHOSPHORUS IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.)
    (PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2019) KALE RAVINDRA RAMRAO; SUNDARAM, R M
    Rice is one of the most important cereal crops and occupies second prominent position in global agriculture. A significant proportion of rice growing soils across the world and in India is either phosphorus (P)-deficient or has a high P-fixing capacity resulting in reduced productivity levels. The basic mechanism plants follow for P utilization are P acquisition efficiency and internal P–use efficiency. Presence of genetic variability for P uptake has been reported in rice and a major QTL called Pup1 conferring tolerance to low soil P has been identified earlier. The present study was taken up in order to characterize available germplasm lines for low P tolerance and QTL mapping for low soil P tolerance in recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population developed by crossing, Wazuhophek (which has significant tolerance to low soil P condition and completely devoid of Pup1 genomic region) and Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM; Which is highly sensitive to low soil P). In the first objective, i.e. a set of 56 germplasm lines of rice were analyzed for their genotype with respect to markers spanning the Pup1 locus along with phenotypic characterization for low soil P tolerance. Significant genetic variability was observed with respect to plant height, number of productive tillers, root volume, dry root weight, dry shoot weight and grain yield under low P condition. Cluster analysis based on the stress indices and low soil P tolerance ability, grouped the genotypes into three groups, viz., highly tolerant, tolerant and sensitive. Genotyping of the rice lines with a set of Pup1 specific markers (viz., K46-1, K46-2, K52 and 46CG-1), revealed the presence of partial or complete Pup1 genomic region in most of the tolerant genotypes. A total of 15 genotypes showed tolerance to low soil P based on yield reduction in comparison to the tolerant and sensitive checks. Interestingly, the tolerant genotype line, IC216831 was observed to be completely devoid of Pup1, and hence it can be explored for identification and characterization of new loci underlying low soil P tolerance. The second objective focused on SSR marker-based molecular mapping of genomic regions associated with low soil P tolerance in the non-Pup1 type, low P tolerant rice line from North-eastern part of India, Wazuhophek. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to low soil P tolerance were identified in recombinant inbred lines (RILs), developed from cross Improved Samba Mahsuri/Wazuhophek. A total of 16 QTLs related to yield and other physio- morphological traits were identified under low soil P condition. Out of them, 10 QTLs were found on chromosome 8, spanning a 4.49 Mb region in the genomic interval of RM22554-RM8005. Two QTLs were identified on chromosome 7, spanning a 2.71 Mb (RM5847-RM22031) region and 11.31 Mb (RM21521-RM21103) region for root volume and P content of grains, respectively. Four QTLs were identified on chromosome 1, spanning a 9.2 Mb region in between the markersWR1.7-RM8105. In silico analysis of identified genomic regions spanning the identified QTLs was carried out. A total of 538 genes were predicted in the QTL region on chromosome 8, of which eight genes related to phosphorus uptake or utilization, including genes related to auxin signalling, phosphatase activity and zinc figure transcription factor appear to be of interest. A total of 1339 genes were predicted in the QTL region on chromosome 1, of which 14 genes related to phosphorus uptake or utilization, including auxin responsive genes and genes involved in maintenance of Pi homeostasis are of interest. A total of 712 genes were predicted in the QTL region controlling root volume, located on chromosome 7. Among them, 12 genes related to phosphorus uptake or utilization, including auxin responsive genes and transcription factors involved in regulation of stress related genes appear to be of interest. Similarly, in silico analysis of another QTL for P content in seed located on chromosome 7, predicated 570 genes. Among them, 16 were found to be possibly related to phosphorus uptake or utilization. All the QTLs detected in the present study, appear to be novel and did not overlap with the already reported genes/QTL. The novel low P tolerant rice line, IC216831, which is devoid of Pup1 can be subjected for genetic and molecular marker analysis to identify novel low P tolerance genes/QTLs. Further, the novel QTLs associated with low soil P tolerance identified from Wazuhophek, after their fine-mapping and validation, can be transferred into elite rice varieties and parental lines, which are sensitive to low soil P levels through marker-assisted breeding.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION FOR DURABLE GALL MIDGE (Orseolia oryzae) RESISTANCE IN RICE
    (PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2018) MAHESH DURISETI; DURGA RANI, Ch.V
    Biotic stresses such as gall midge (GM) and bacterial blight (BB) account for significant economic losses annually in rice. The major resistance genes viz., Gm4, gm3, Gm8 for GM and xa13, Xa21 for BB offer resistance to these stresses. Marker assisted pedigree selection was carried out at Institute of Biotechnology, PJTSAU, Hyderabad to develop rice lines with resistance to these stresses. For this three parents involved in a crossing programme viz., NIL of MTU1010 (Gm4, xa13, Xa21), RP2068- 18-3-5 (gm3) and Aganni (Gm8) were used. During Rabi 2014-15 two crosses were made involving NIL of MTU1010 as female parent and RP2068-18-3-5 and Aganni as male parents. F1 seeds obtained in these crosses were raised in Kharif 2015. Functional markers (LRR del for Gm4, gm3del3 for gm3, PRP for Gm8, xa13 promo for xa13 gene) and another closely gene linked marker (pTA248 for Xa21) were used to confirm hybridity of the two crosses. One plant from each cross were intercrossed to get ICF1 seeds. During Rabi 2015-16, ICF1 plants were raised, genotyped using aforesaid markers. One plant with desired gene combination (Gm4gm4Gm3gm3Gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21) was selected and forwarded to ICF2 generaton. During Kharif 2016 ICF2 plants were genotyped and 7 distinct gene combinations (Gm4Gm4gm3gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, Gm4Gm4gm3gm3gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, Gm4Gm4Gm3Gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, gm4gm4gm3gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, Gm4Gm4Gm3Gm3gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, gm4gm4gm3gm3gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21 and gm4gm4Gm3Gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21) representing five gene, four gene and three gene combinations were selected and forwarded to ICF3 generation. During Rabi 2016-17 ICF3 progenies obtained from selected ICF2 plants were checked for uniformity of genes using aforesaid functional markers. Single plant selections were forwarded to ICF4 generation for phenotyping studies. A total of 69 ICF4 lines comprising of 51 five gene pyramids (Gm4Gm4gm3gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21), 9 four gene pyramids (Gm4Gm4gm3gm3gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, Gm4Gm4Gm3Gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21 and ii gm4gm4gm3gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21) and another 9 three gene pyramids (Gm4Gm4Gm3Gm3gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, gm4gm4gm3gm3gm8gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21, gm4gm4Gm3Gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21) were subjected to phenotyping studies at RARS, Warangal where natural occurrence of GMB4M is prevalent. Out of 69 ICF4 lines, 12 lines scored ‘0’ with zero percent incidence of silvershoot. Among the 12, ten are five gene pyramids (Gm4Gm4gm3gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21) and two are four gene pyramids (Gm4Gm4Gm3Gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21). 37 lines scored ‘1’ with less than 1% incidence of silvershoots. Out of 37 lines, 36 are five gene pyramids (Gm4Gm4gm3gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21) and one is four gene pyramid (Gm4Gm4Gm3Gm3Gm8Gm8xa13xa13Xa21Xa21). Hence these 49 progenies with 0 and 1 scores were considered as resistant. Phenotyping was done in these 49 progenies for gall midge resistance against GMB1 biotype at ICAR-IIRR, Hyderabad under green house condition. Results showed that out of the 49 lines except three five gene pyramid ICF4 lines remaining scored ‘0’ hence considered as resistant. Therefore a total of 46 lines considered to be showing resistance against both the gall midge biotypes. As a whole five gene pyramids performed better followed by four gene pyramids, indicating the complementary/additive nature of GM resistance genes. BB screening in these 46 lines shown most of them scored ‘1’ and a few scored ‘3’ hence all these lines were considered to be resistant for BB. There is no antagonistic nature was observed between gall midge and BB genes. Agronomic evaluation also shown 12 lines performed better when compared with standard check MTU1010. Out of 12, five lines (F2-646-14, F2-701-11, F2-701-15, F2-735-12 and F2-899-1) registered significant yield superiority to MTU1010, while 7 lines (F2-598-12, F2-646-8, F2-646-18, F2-811- 16, F2-899-9, F2-998-2 and F2-36-11) showed numerical superiority over MTU1010 along with durable GM and BB resistance. In the present study phenotypic correlation coefficient analysis revealed that plant height, productive tillers, panicle length and number of seeds/panicle components contributed to the plant yield. Through pedigree method of breeding with marker assisted selection, we have successfully combined GM and BB resistance genes against two important biotic stresses i.e. gall midge and bacterial blight. Key words: Gall midge, Bacterial Blight, functional markers, gene pyramid, Gm4, gm3, Gm8, xa13 and Xa21 genes.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MOLECULAR AND PHYSIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE RESPONSE OF RICE TO AEROBIC CONDITIONS
    (PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2018) PHULE AMOL SARJERAO; ANANDA KUMAR, P
    In view of a paradigm shift in the system of rice cultivation from anaerobic to aerobic condition, it is very much essential to identify the transcripts and understand the mechanism of aerobic adaptation. To get deeper insights of aerobic adaptation in rice, RNA-seq analysis of root and shoot i.e. developing panicle tissues at panicle initiation stage in two cultivars adapted to traditional transplanted anaerobic (BPT 5204) and aerobic (CR Dhan 202) systems of cultivation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was performed. The physiological and anatomical observations showed that root length, total dry weight, fewer aerenchyma formation and larger xylem area were critical to aerobic adaptation. The RNA-seq data emanated in 1.65 billion clean reads with approximately 37 million reads per sample. The number of differentially expressed transcripts was higher for root (1535, 492) than the shoot (441, 726) under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) of root under aerobic condition were classified based on GO-enriched categories. Among those, transcripts related to stress (GO:0006950), oxidoreductase activity (GO:0016491) and cytoplasmic membrane-bounded vesicle (GO:0016023) were majorly found in the main categories of biological processes, molecular function and cellular components respectively. Similarly, in shoot under aerobic situation, among the DETs, transcripts related to water deprivation (GO:0009414), nucleic xix acid binding, transcription factor activity (GO:0001071) and extracellular region (GO:0005576) were significantly enriched. The transcription factors viz. MADS 15, MADS 24, MADS26, HOX 12, HOX 14, DREB1F and DREB1C were exclusively expressed in adapted cultivar under aerobic condition specifying its role in adaptation. In addition to that, various transporter families viz. bidirectional sugar transporter (SWEET 16, 3a and 4), metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL2 and YSL13), inorganic phosphate transporter (PHT1;6), cation transporter (HKT8), phosphate transporter (PHO1;2), potassium transporter (HAK1) and ABC transporters were highly expressed exclusively in CR Dhan 202, which suggested that the transporters play a major role in aerobic adaptation. Among the hormones, Ethylene and Abscisic acid seem to be mainly involved in imparting aerobic adaptation. The root traits related genes (MT2B, MT2c, MT4A, MT1g, PHT1;6, HKT8, HAK1, YSL2, YSL13, PIP2;3, TIP1;2 and NIP2;1) were also highly expressed in root tissue of CR Dhan 202 under aerobic condition, which suggested the involvement and sensitivity of roots to water limiting conditions. Highly differentially expressed transcripts were also mapped to the reported QTLs responsible for root related traits, yield under drought etc. Many of the transcripts fall within the reported QTLs, which further strengthened the involvement of those genes in aerobic adaptation. The validation of the results of RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analysis was carried out. Reference genes suitable for the specific condition were not reported for this analysis. Hence, identification of the reference genes was carried out. Selection of stable reference genes across the tissue samples at various developmental stages or at specific stress conditions is very much essential to accurately assess the relative temporal and spatial gene expression. The expression stability of ten rice genes viz. Actin, eEF-1a, eIF-5C, Exp1, Exp2, Memp, SKP1A, TF-SUI1, TPH and UBQ5 across six experimental sets in shoot and root tissues at seedling, tillering and panicle initiation stages revealed Memp (Membrane protein), TPH (Tumor protein homolog) and Exp1 (Expressed protein) as the most stable genes with acceptable M and V value according to the gold standards of qRT-PCR. Eleven DETs in aerobic and anaerobic conditions were selected for validation through qRT-PCR using newly identified reference genes which revealed high correlation between the RNA seq and qRT-PCR. xx It is inferred that high metabolic activity may occur in aerobic condition by high expression of various TFs, transporters and root traits related genes in root compared to shoot which might play a role in adaptation mechanism in CR Dhan 202. The presence of alternative splicing (AS) events also lay a concrete foundation that alternative splice variants are generated as a result of adaptation which might play important role in transcript generation. The adaptation under aerobic condition can be bestowed by the combined hormonal signaling and response mechanism through transcription factors and transporters.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ABIOTIC STRESS TOLERANT PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA (PGPR) FROM DIFFERENT RHIZOSPHERIC SOILS OF TELANGANA
    (PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2018) DAMODARA CHARI, K; SUBHASH REDDY, R
    n rain fed agro-ecosystems is predominance of abiotic stresses like high temperature, salinity and drought where the applied bioinoculants survival and viability is a major issue in Indian conditions. In the results of laboratory conditions with bioinoculants and field could be variable due to various abiotic stresses that prevail under farmers’ field conditions for microbial inoculants to establish and to show the efficient desirable effect. Such type of problems can be overcome by sound screening programme for efficient stress tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from different rhizospheric soils for effective management of abiotic stress in crop plants. Evolving efficient, low cost, easily adaptable methods for the abiotic stress management is a major challenge. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of bacteria that actively colonize plant root and increase plant growth by production of various plant growth hormones, phosphate solubilizing activity, nitrogen fixation and biocontrol activity. Few strains from genera such as Pseudomonas, Azospirillium, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Erwinia and Flavobacterium are well known PGPR. They aid in improving plant stress tolerance to drought, salinity and metal toxicity. Present investigation was carried out to identify plant growth promoting rhizobacterial isolates for abiotic stress tolerance. To achieve this bacterial isolates were isolated from different rhizospheric soils of Telanagana and screened for plant growth promoting properties and tolerance to different abiotic stresses such as pH, temperature, salt, drought and heavy metals. Such PGPR will be helpful for efficient management of abiotic stresses in crop production. Rhizospheric soils from normal, salt affected, drought affected and bulk soils were collected from different places of Telangana state. From all soil samples, about 142 different isolates were selected and purified on respective media. Based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characterization, it was found that forty four were of Bacillus spp, forty were of Pseudomonas spp, twenty one were of Rhizobium spp and thirty seven were of Azotobacter spp. All the bacterial isolates (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium and Azotobacter) were subjected to further studies under in vitro conditions to understand their multiple beneficial activities such as plant growth promoting properties, biocontrol activity and tolerance to abiotic stress. Among the forty four Bacillus isolates, twenty eight isolates were showing plant growth promoting properties. Isolate BJRB-18 showed plant growth promoting properties and abiotic stress tolerance to pH, temperature, salt, drought and heavy metals (Arsenic and Cadmium). Among the Pseudomonas isolates twenty eight were showed plant growth promoting properties. KRP-1 showed efficient plant growth promoting properties followed by BJPP-15. For biocontrol properties such as HCN production, siderophore production and antifungal activity with Rhizoctonia solani, efficient isolates were KTP-3, CAPP-40. For plant growth promoting properties and abiotic stress, BJPP-15 was found efficient. No single isolate showed combination of plant growth promoting properties, biocontrol activity and tolerance to abiotic stress conditions. Isolates KTB-3 and KRP-1 could be a good combination for this purpose. Similarly no single rhizobial isolate had shown positive for combination of plant growth promoting properties, biocontrol activity and tolerance to abiotic stress conditions. However, Rhizobium isolates KLSR-10 and PGR-14 could be used in combination to meet the requirement of plant growth promoting properties, biocontrol and abiotic stress conditions. Among the Azotobacter isolates, KRAZ-1 was found suitable for use commonly for plant growth promoting properties, biocontrol and abiotic stress. In the present study, the sequenced PCR products of effective bacterial isolates were matched with the available sequences in the Gene Bank database. BLAST Search results through NCBI showed 97% similarity of BJRB-18 with Paenibacillus lautus, 99% similarity of KLSR-10 with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, 99% similarity of BJPP-15 with Pseudomonas fluorescens, 99 % similarity of KRP-1 with Pseudomonas fluorescens. All of them had shown tolerance to different abiotic stress conditions indicating their potential for their use as bioinoculants.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PYRAMIDING BACTERIAL BLIGHT AND BLAST RESISTANCE AND TOLERANCE TO LOW SOIL PHOSPHORUS INTO THE RICE VARIETY, MTU1010 THROUGH MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION
    (PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2018) DHIVYANANDHAM, K; DURGA RANI, Ch.V
    Rice is a major food crop supplying 30% of the calorie requirement to the Indian population. However, stability in the rice production could not be sustained as high yielding varieties became susceptible to a wide variety of pests and diseases within a short period of their release and they are also highly affected by abiotic stress factors. With respect to biotic stresses, bacterial blight [Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo)] and blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) diseases are causing major yield losses in the different rice growing ecosystems. The development of host-plant resistance is considered as the effective means to control the diseases. With respect to abiotic stress factors, soil phosphorous is a major constraint for rice production particularly under upland areas because of phosphorus fixation in acidic condition. In order to introgress two or more genes acting towards the improvement of crop against both biotic and abiotic stresses, gene pyramiding method was adopted. Marker assisted selection allows the identification of plants carrying multiple resistance/tolerance genes using gene specific/linked markers. The present investigation entitled “Pyramiding bacterial blight and blast resistance and tolerance to low soil Phosphorous into the rice variety, MTU1010 xiii through Marker Assisted Selection” was undertaken to develop broad spectrum resistance against the two major rice diseases, viz., bacterial blight (BB) and rice blast and also tolerance to low soil phosphorous with MTU1010 characters. Near-Isogenic Line (NIL) of ISM developed by ICAR-IIRR, Rajendranagar, possessing three BB resistance genes (xa5, xa13 and Xa21) and low phosphorous tolerance gene (Pup1) and a NIL of MTU1010 developed by IBT, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar possessing two BB (xa13 and Xa21) and one major blast resistance gene (Pi1) were used as parents in the present study for combining five genes, viz., xa5, xa13, Xa21, Pi1 and Pup1. F1 seeds were obtained from a cross between NIL of ISM and NIL of MTU1010 during Kharif, 2016. The goal of the present study was to identify F2 segregants of MTU1010, having xa5, xa13, Xa21, Pi1 and Pup1 genes and possessing durable BB resistance, blast resistance and tolerance to low soil phosphorous conditions. Marker-assisted pedigree breeding method involving gene specific/gene linked markers for selection of the target genes was adopted in the present study. Both parents selected for the study were validated for presence of the target genes, viz., xa5, xa13, Xa21, Pi1 and Pup1 using the functional markers/linked markers, viz., xa5FM, xa13Prom, pTA248, RM224 and CAPS markers, K20-2Bsp, respectively, along with positive and negative checks. Xa21 and xa13 genes were present in both the parents, while xa5 and Pup1 genes were present in NIL of ISM and Pi1 was present in NIL of MTU1010. Polymorphism was observed between parents along with positive check varieties, ISM for xa5, NLR145 for Pi1 and Swarna for Pup1. F1 plants were raised during Rabi 2016-17 and confirmed for heterozygosity with respect to the three target genes (xa5, Pi1 and Pup1) while xa13 and Xa21 were observed to be present in homozygous condition in both the parents. F2 population (n = 700 plants) were raised from a single confirmed F1 plant during Kharif 2017 to identify the plants carrying desired resistance genes by using gene specific/gene linked markers. Segregation of these genes was observed in the F2 population for the three of the target genes, viz., xa5, Pi1 and Pup1, while no segregation was noticed for the two BB resistance genes, Xa21 and xa13, which are present in both the parents used for crossing. The chi-square analysis showed a good fit to the expected segregation ratio (1:2:1) for single gene model. The chi-square analysis for three gene combinations was also done and the result showed a good fit to the expected segregation ratio (1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1:2:4:2:4:8:4:2:4:2:1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1) with the genotypes divided into 27 distinct classes. F2 plants with five (xa5, xa13, Xa21, Pi1, Pup1), four (xa5, xa13, Xa21, Pi1); (xa5, xa13, Xa21, Pup1); (xa13, Xa21, Pi1, Pup1); and three (xa5, xa13, xiv Xa21); (xa13, Xa21, Pi1); (xa13, Xa21, Pup1) gene combinations in homozygous condition were identified for forwarding to F3 generation. F3 lines will be evaluated for BB, blast resistance and traits related to low soil phosphorus tolerance along with agromorphological characters similar to MTU1010.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    “GENOTYPING AND PHENOTYPING OF ADVANCED BACKCROSS PROGENIES DERIVED FROM TELLAHAMSA AND MTU1010 RICE VARIETIES FOR BB AND BLAST RESISTANCE’’
    (PROFESSOR JAYASHANKAR TELANGANA STATE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, 2018) ANJALI, C; DURGARANI, Ch.V
    Bacterial blight (BB) and rice blast are the two most important diseases causing significant yield loss in rice, and they are endemic to several rice growing states of India. In Telangana, the yield loss is very severe due to BB and blast. In order to address the above said issues, the efforts have been made and developed MTU1010 and Tellahamsa introgression lines with bacterial blight (xa13 and Xa21) and blast (Pi54 and Pi1) resistance genes by Institute of Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Rajendranagar. GPP2 was used as a donor for bacterial blight resistance genes (xa13 and Xa21), while NLR145 (Swarnamukhi) was used as donor for blast resistance genes (Pi54 and Pi1). In continuation to a DBT funded research project the present research study entitled “Genotyping and phenotyping of advanced backcross progenies derived from Tellahamsa and MTU1010 rice varieties for BB and Blast resistance” has been designed. DNA bulking method was used to reduce the time, resources and number of samples from 3465 to 99 for DNA isolation without compromising the quality of DNA. Genotyping was carried out in 29 advanced backcross progenies (BC3F4, BC4F5) for the presence of four target genes viz., xa13, Xa21, Pi54 and Pi1 by using gene specific / linked PCR based molecular markers viz., xa13-prom, pTA248, Pi54 MAS and RM224, respectively. The bulk sample analysis of 29 progenies exhibited uniformity for the target genes. 25 Progenies were screened for BB resistance along with resistant donor parent, GPP2; susceptible check, TN1 and recurrent parents, MTU1010 and Tellahamsa. A highly virulent isolate of Xoo (IX-020) from Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) was used for BB screening. Out of 25 progenies, 23 progenies recorded resistance score of “1” where as two progenies were moderately resistant with a score of “3”. These genes were found to be very effective in all the genetic backgrounds (23 out of 25 showed resistance, while 2 were with moderate resistance).The results revealed that xa13 and Xa21 genes individually and together offered high level of resistance compared to recurrent parents. However it is always preferred to use pyramided lines rather than lines with single resistance gene to avoid break down of resistance genes. Twenty five progenies were screened for blast resistance, along with resistant donor parent, NLR145, susceptible check, HR12 and recurrent parents, MTU1010 and Tellahamsa by Principal Scientist (Pathology, ICAR-IIRR) using a highly virulent blast isolate (SPI-04. Six progenies viz., TPL-59, TPL-62, TPL-63, MPL-3, MPL-7 and MPL-8 showed resistance with a score of “3”, while eight progenies viz., TPL-58, TPL-60, TPL-61, TPL-67, TPL-68, TPL-69, MPL-1 and MPL-4 showed moderate resistance to blast with a score of “5”. Pi54 and Pi1 genes individually and together exhibited resistance to moderate resistance in 14 out of 25 lines. Unlike BB resistance genes blast resistance genes showed suscetibilty in 11 progenies (TPL-53, TPL-54, TPL-55, TPL-56, TPL-57, TPL-64, TPL-65, TPL-66, MPL-2, MPL-5 and MPL-9). Towards developing durable blast resistance, it is desirable to introgress additional major gene(s) and QTLs with minor effects. During precise introgression of blast resistance genes from NLR145 with simultaneous recovery of recurrent parent genome (> 96%), several other genes or QTLs responsible for offering blast resistance might be lost from NLR145, which could be one of the reasons for blast suscetibilty in some of the introgressed lines. Agro-morphological evaluation was carried out in 29 advanced backcross lines. Replication wise data was recorded for eight yield and yield contributing characters and RBD analysis was carried out. In case of Tellahamsa derived lines, six progenies (TPL53, TPL-56, TPL-59, TPL-62, TPL-68 and TPL-69) shown significant superiority over Tellahamsa and four lines (TPL-54, TPL-55, TPL-60 and TPL-71) were on par with Tellahamsa for yield. Among 10 MTU1010 derived lines, six lines (MPL-1, MPL-3, MPL-4, MPL-7, MPL-8 and MPL-9) showed significant superiority over MTU1010 for yield. TPL-59, MPL-7 and MPL-8 were found to be promising having yield superiority over parents with BB and blast resistance.