Chowdhury, V.K.Naveen Kumar2017-06-032017-06-032014http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810014692Molecular markers provide novel tools for linkage mapping of QTLs of target traits and can greatly enhance the efficacy of breeding programs to improve mineral (iron and zinc) density in rice. F3, F4, BC1F2 and BC1F3 populations derived from the cross between high-yielding (PAU201) and iron-rich (Palman 579) indica rice varieties displayed large variation for various physio-morphological traits including grain yield per plant and mineral (iron and zinc) contents. Iron and zinc content varied from 0.9- 149.9 and 0-143.1 μg/g respectively in all the four populations (F3, F4, BC1F2 and BC1F3). Transgressive segregation for grain iron content was noticed in F3 population with one of the plants having exceptionally higher iron (746.8 μg/g) content. Phenotypic correlation analysis showed positive correlation (r=0.281) between grain iron content and zinc content in BC1F2 population but not in F3, F4 and BC1F3 populations. Grain yield per plant showed significant positive correlation with plant height and effective number of tillers/plant in all the four populations. A DNA fingerprint database of 33 PAU201 × Palman 579 F4 plants was prepared using 61 polymorphic SSR markers distributed on the entire genome of rice. NTSYS-pc UPGMA tree cluster analysis and two-dimensional PCA scaling showed scattering of the F4 population between the two distinct parental genotypes; the population was inclined towards Palman 579. The distribution of PAU201 and Palman 579 specific alleles among the PAU201 × Palman 579 F4 plants were determined and SSR data was used to identify QTLs for grain mineral content and various agronomical traits. A total of 128 alleles were identified in 33 PAU201 x Palman 579 F4 plants and three new recombinant alleles (different that those in parent rice varieties) were identified. Composite interval mapping (CIM) analysis by Win QTL cartographer 2.5 revealed a total of six QTLs for mineral content (five for Fe and one for Zn) in rice grains on chromosome 5, 6, 7 and 9; and sixteen QTLs for various agronomical traits (plant height, tillers per plant, yield per plant, Grains per panicle and 1000-grain weight). As many as 33 F4 and 25 BC1F3 promising plants having higher grain yield as well as mineral content have been selected for further progeny analysis.enplanting, grain, rice, iron, zinc, yields, developmental stages, minerals, chromosomes, genesThesis