SHASHIDHAR, H. E.NGUYEN PHUONG, THUY2019-07-042019-07-042018-08-20Th-12108http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810111726A study was carried out using F3 and F4 progeny from a cross between ‘Gopaldoddiga’ and ‘ARB6’ cultivars. Analysis of variance for the traits evaluated showed highly significant differences (P < 0.001) among the genotypes for all traits. High estimates of GCV and PCV were observed for total number of tillers, number of productive tillers, biomass per plant, grain yield per plant and harvest index. GCV and PCV estimates were moderate for day to 50 % flowering, plant height, panicle length, 100 grains weight and brown grain Zn. PCV values were only slightly higher than GCV values under investigation for all traits. High estimates of broad sense heritability along with high GAM was observed for all the characters except GAM of plant height in F3 generation. Presence of positive relationship between grain yield and brown rice Zn concentration implies these traits can be used as a selection criterion from F4 generation onwards. To understand expression in Zn content at the sequence level, genes were identified as members of the ZIP family were chosen to design Zn transporter specific primers. Among twenty primers used three primers viz, OsZIP2-1, OsZIP3-2, OsZIP4-4 showed strong positive association with brown grain Zinc content. Brown rice Zn content and grain yield were high for hybrid progenies namely, GA 247-12-101, GA 247-12-141, GA 247-12-984, GA 240-450-35, GA 240-450-58, GA 240-450-21, GA 287-621-48, GA 287-63-172, GA 287-63-245, GA 287- 63-25, GA 214-132-20, GA 214-132-51, GA 214-132-136, GA 214-132-26 and GA 214- 132-279, and therefore can be recommended for planting under suitable aerobic conditions. These zinc enriched high yielding lines can be effectively utilized in rice biofortification programs across the globe.ennullThesis