SCREENING OF RICE LINES OF DIVERSE ORIGIN RESISTANT TO BACTERIAL LEAF BLIGHT UNDER LOCAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Current study comprised of 20 donor parent lines and four indica elite strains resistant against bacterial leaf blight having diversity in origin viz. Bangladesh, Philippine, Indonesia, Senegal and India. The lines were tested to check resistance against Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB), having BLB resistance genes Xa-4, xa-5, Xa-7 and xa-13. The experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Station, Farooqabad, Sheikhupura. Artificial inoculation was done to study disease reaction. DNA marker analysis was also conducted to study the gene status of these lines. Results indicated that seven donor lines were completely resistant to Bacterial Leaf Blight whereas twelve lines exhibited moderate resistance. Among rest of the five susceptible genotypes, three were showing comparatively low susceptibility whereas two completely susceptible to BLB. Most of the lines with three or four gene combinations showing resistant behavior against BLB except AUS-298 that showed moderately susceptible behavior. Combination of genes for Bacterial Leaf Blight resistance can be explored further in targeted research program for disease resistance.