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Article

Marker-Assisted Introgression of Multiple Resistance Genes Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance against Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Diseases in PUTRA-1 Rice Variety

by
Samuel C. Chukwu
1,2,
Mohd Y. Rafii
1,3,*,
Shairul I. Ramlee
3,
Siti I. Ismail
4,
Yusuff Oladosu
5,
Kazeem Kolapo
5,
Ibrahim Musa
5,
Jamilu Halidu
5,
Isma’ila Muhammad
5 and
Muideen Ahmed
5
1
Laboratory of Climate Smart Food Crop Production, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
2
Department of Crop Production and Landscape Management, Ebonyi State University, PMB 053 Abakaliki, Nigeria
3
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
4
Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
5
Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor 43400, Malaysia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2020, 10(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010042
Submission received: 28 October 2019 / Revised: 11 December 2019 / Accepted: 23 December 2019 / Published: 26 December 2019
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Etiology and Control of Crop Diseases)
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Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Bacterial leaf blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo) and blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae are major diseases responsible for significant yield loss in rice production across all rice growing regions. Host plant resistance has been advocated as a sustainable means of guarding against the diseases. This experiment was conducted with the aim to introgress multiple resistance genes against bacterial leaf blight and blast diseases through marker-assisted backcross breeding. Two dominant (Xa4 and Xa21) and two recessive (xa5 and xa13) Xoo resistance genes were introgressed into a high yielding Malaysian rice variety Putra-1 with genetic background of three blast resistance (Piz, Pi2 and Pi9) genes. Eight polymorphic tightly linked functional and SSR markers were used for foreground selection of target genes. Seventy nine polymorphic SSR markers were used in background selection. The plants were challenged at initial stage of breeding and challenged again at BC2F2 with the most virulent Malaysian pathotypes of Xoo (P7.7) and Magnaporthe oryzae (P7.2) to test their resistance. Results obtained from foreground marker segregation analysis at BC1F1 and BC2F1 showed that the marker polymorphism both fitted into the Mendel’s single gene segregation ratio of 1:1 for both Xoo and blast resistance. At BC2F2, results indicated that foreground marker polymorphism fitted into the expected Mendelian ratio of 1:2:1 for blast resistance only. Marker-assisted background selection revealed high percentage of recurrent parent genome recovery (95.9%). It was concluded that the inheritance of blast resistance in the introgressed lines was mainly due to single gene action while the inheritance of Xoo resistance was substantially due to single nuclear gene action. The incorporation of four bacterial leaf blight and three blast resistance genes (Xa4 + xa5 + xa13 + Xa21; Pi9 + Pi2 + Piz) in the newly developed lines would provide for broad spectrum and durable resistance against the two major diseases studied.

1. Introduction

Rice production is a very important activity all around the world. Many African and Asian countries rely on rice as a source of income and daily calories [1,2,3]. Bacteria leaf blight which is caused by the pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most serious diseases responsible for significant yield reduction in rice. The disease constrains the photosynthetic area of the crop thereby causing partial grain filling and this leads to poor yield [4]. Use of resistant varieties of rice is the best approach to guard against the disease as chemical control is not effective. To date, 42 Xoo resistance genes have been identified in rice and some of them have been incorporated into new varieties [5]. Generally, the disease is favoured by temperatures between 25 to 34 °C, with relative humidity more than 70% and most rice growing regions in Malaysia are affected by the disease [6]. Host plant resistance offers the most viable, low cost, effective and sustainable strategy to manage the disease compared to chemical control and biological method [7].
Rice blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae (Pyricularia oryzae (anamorph)) is one of the biotic agents responsible for severe yield loss in rice [8]. It is among the most destructive diseases affecting rice in Malaysia and other parts of the world’s major rice growing regions. The disease causes considerably large grain yield losses in almost all major ecosystems where it is grown [9,10]. Blast infection could be noticed at every stage of rice growth and the symptoms occur in all above ground parts. The early symptoms look like white/gray/green spots or necrosis surrounded by dark green colour. Molecular markers that co-segregate with the gene are powerful methods to develop a resistant cultivar. The availability of different molecular markers enables an accurate detection of candidate genes of interest [11].
Resistance genes for bacterial leaf blight and blast are usually obtained from rice varieties, land races, old cultivars and wild species. About 100 blast resistance genes have been identified, and many of them have been cloned and characterized [12]. Variability in pathogens leading to overcoming of resistance effect of major genes after four to five years, has forced the breeder to continuously search for novel R-genes. Widespread use of resistant cultivars leads to development of selection pressure in the pathogen that resulted into breaking of resistance barrier. Majority of blast R-genes are dominant in nature, but recessive gene has also been reported [6]. Dominant R-genes for Xoo are Xa-1, Xa-3, Xa-4, Xa-7, Xa-10, Xa-14, Xa-21 and Xa-22 (t) and some major recessive genes are xa-5, xa-13. Pyramiding of genes is an effective strategy for enhancing the durability of R-genes over time and space. Marker assisted selection is one of the most sustainable and attractive technology that facilitates incorporation of two or more major genes in different genetic background of rice. In the presence of a number of virulent pathogens, the genes may differ in their level of resistance to such pathogens. Thus, gene pyramiding is currently being pursued in an effort to develop more durable and comprehensive resistant rice varieties to combat the effect of bacterial leaf blight and blast pathogens. Therefore, this work was carried out to introgress multiple resistance genes from two genetically diverse parents using marker-assisted selection for broad spectrum and durable resistance against bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and blast diseases.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Genetic Materials and Backcrosses

The donor parent IRBB60 which contains four BLB R-genes Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21 [6] was collected from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Laguna, the Philippines. Xa4 and Xa21 are the dominant genes while xa5 and xa13 are in the recessive condition. The recurrent parent was Putra-1, a high yielding rice variety that is resistant to blast disease with genetic background of three blast R-genes, namely; Piz, Pi2, Pi9. Putra-1 variety was developed at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS), Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia, from a cross between MR219 × PongsuSeribu 1 [13]. Putra-1 was used as the female parent to hybridize the male parent IRBB60 and F1 plants were developed. The Putra-1 was subsequently used as the recurrent parent during backcrossing stages. Marker-assisted backcross breeding method was adopted up to BC2F2 generation. At each stage of backcrossing, at least 200 lines were genotyped using polymorphic tightly linked foreground markers for selection of target genes. At BC1F1 and BC2F1, only plants that showed heterozygous alleles for both bacterial leaf blight and blast resistance genes were selected while plants that showed homozygous alleles for both resistances genes at BC2F2 were finally selected. Foreground selection for multiple target genes was done up till BC2F2 where recombined and pure homozygous lines for all seven target genes were selected. Background selection using 79 polymorphic SSR markers was also done up till BC2F2 to ensure that only lines with recovered recurrent parent genome as well as pyramided seven target genes for Xoo and blast were selected. Phenotypic selection was combined with foreground and background selections at every generation to reconfirm the results of molecular screening. Phenotypic selection was done by physical observation and selection of plants with desired traits such as high yielding, no symptoms of bacterial leaf blight and blast. Management practices such as planting spacing, weed control, fertilizer application, pest and disease control were done according to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) recommended manual [13].

2.1.1. Molecular Marker Screening

Eight molecular markers including both SSR and functional markers found in literature that were linked to Xoo resistance genes were screened to confirm their polymorphism between the two parents; Putra-1 and IRBB60 (Table 1). Also, two SSR DNA-based markers found in literature that were linked to blast resistance genes were also tested for their polymorphism between the two parents (Table 1). A total of 472 rice SSR markers were screened to select the polymorphic markers between the parents Putra-1 and IRBB60. Only 79 polymorphic SSR markers out of the 472 were selected and subsequently used for background selection. To extract genomic DNA, young and fresh rice leaves were collected from 4-week-old individual plants using the CTAB (Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) method modified from Ashkani et al. [9]. Three μL of the extracted DNA were mixed with 2 μL of DNA loading dye on top of a Parafilm wax and then loaded into the wells of a 3 g metaphor agarose gel and subjected to electrophoresis. After running the electrophoresis for about 45 min at 90 V, 2500 aM, the gel was viewed on image viewer machine for confirmation that the DNA bands were present. One μL of each DNA sample was put in a NanoDrop spectrophotometer (ND-1000, NanoDrop Technologies Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA) and relative purity with concentration of the extracted DNA was estimated from the data value displayed on a computer. The final concentration of each DNA sample was diluted with TE buffer (10 mMTris-HCl, pH 8.0, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0) to get the required concentration and maintained in a refrigerator of −20 °C for PCR analysis. After confirming the DNA quantity and quality, the selected suitable samples were taken for PCR analysis using 15 μL PCR mixture. Thereafter, the PCR tubes were loaded in the PCR machine (Thermocycler, T100TM, Bio-Rad, London, UK) and the PCR was run following three hours plus three minutes touchdown PCR programme. After initial denaturation for 5 min at 94 °C, each cycle comprised 1 min denaturation at 94 °C, 1 min annealing at 55 °C, and 2 min extension at 72 °C with a final extension for 5 min at 72 °C at the end of 35 cycles. A 3% Metaphor™ agarose (Lonza) gel was prepared using 3 g Metaphor™ agarose powder dissolved in 100 mL 1 × TBE buffer with the aid of the microwave machine. After proper dissolution, 10 μL of Gel view was added and then mixed thoroughly. The gel was run at a steady voltage of 90 set at maximum 2500 A for 45 min and the resultant bands were visualized using Molecular Imager® (GelDocTM XR, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Hercules, CA, USA). Marker scoring was done by scoring the DNA bands obtained from the computer display result of the gel document (Image viewer). Single bands were scored either as homozygous allele similar to the recipient (recurrent) parent/female represented with the letter ‘A’ or homozygous allele similar to the donor (male) parent represented with the letter ‘B’. Double bands were scored as heterozygous allele (heterozygote) carrying the genes of both parents and represented with the letter ‘H’.

2.1.2. Bacterial Leaf Blight Resistance Tests

Diseased samples of rice were collected from 15 different locations used for isolation of Xoo. Infected leaf pieces 28 × 7 mm of rice were excised with a sterile scalpel. The leaf surface was sterilized with 1% Clorox (sodium hypochloride) for three minutes and then washed with sterile distilled water (SDW) twice of one to two minutes each. The cut leaf pieces (6–7) were transferred to nutrient agar (NA) medium after drying on sterile blotting paper and incubated at room temperature (25–28 °C) for 72 h [14]. The single bacterial colonies were sub-cultured onto NA plates and to get pure culture, cultures were preserved for longer duration (at 4 °C) on NA slants. The isolates were subjected to the pathogeniecity test to confirm the pathogenicity of the isolated bacteria [15]. Pure cultures of bacterial colonies were suspended into 5 mL distilled water and the concentration of inoculums was adjusted to 108 cfu/mL [9] and homogenised. The plants were sprayed with water to create wet conditions favourable for disease development. Inoculation was done by cutting five leaves, approximately 5 cm from the tips of each line with sterilized scissors dipped in the prepared inoculum. After 14 days, disease data were assessed to identify the degree of pathogenicity on 0 to 9 disease rating scale using Standard Evaluation System of IRRI [16]. The disease incidence and severity were determined. At BC2F2, pure cultures of the most virulent Xoo pathotype P7.7 obtained from MARDI was used for inoculation.

2.1.3. Blast Resistance Tests

On a special request to the Malaysia Agriculture and Research Development Institute (MARDI), Seberang Perai, the most virulent pathotype P7.2 of blast pathogen Magnaportheoryza was provided. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) was prepared in the Physiology laboratory, ITAFoS and used for sub-culturing the collected pathotype P7.2. Plating was done under a sterile condition in the laminar flow hood and the petri dish was allowed to solidify and sealed with parafilm to avoid any form of contamination. The plate cultures were streaked from the master culture using a sterilized needle and sealed with tape to avoid contamination [17]. The plates streaked with pathogen were kept under a light and dark cycle of 16 and eight hours, respectively, under room temperature for four days. Then the cultures were incubated for another 10 days at 28 °C for maximum conidial production. A sterile slide was used to harvest the conidia by scraping the fungal mycelia on the culture plates. Then, the conidia suspension was filtered using the cheese cloth to remove the mycelia and agar pieces [15,18]. In order to measure the concentration of the initial conidial suspension, a conidial suspension was delivered to both chambers of haemocytometer by capillary action [19,20]. The spore concentration was adjusted to 1.5 × 105 spores/mL standard by haemocytometer. Prior to inoculation, 0.05% Tween 20 was added to the suspension to increase the spores adhesion on leaves of plants. The donor parent (IRBB60), recurrent parent (Putra-1) and the newly developed lines were inoculated with the pathogen. In order to maintain an ideal environment for the disease development, the plants were covered with plastic bags, maintaining about 90% humidity. After nine days of inoculation, the challenged plants were phenotypically screened for blast disease symptoms. The disease incidence and severity were determined [16].

2.1.4. Characterization for Agro-Morphological Traits

The agro-morphological performance was evaluated in the field using lines that already recovered their recurrent parent genome with high yielding genetic background and all seven target genes pyramided. The lines were planted in an ear-to-row fashion. Agronomic traits associated with yield and yield components were measured and recorded. These included number of days to 50% flowering and maturity, plant height, number of panicles per plants, effective tillers per plants, panicle length, number of filled grain per plant, 1000-grain weight, total yield per plant, seed length, seed width, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, leaf area, leaf area index, and other traits of economic importance. These traits were recorded from all of the best selected lines of BC2F2 along with the recurrent parent. The morphological and agronomical characteristics were measured following standard procedures.

2.1.5. Statistical Analysis

The genotypic data obtained from the DNA scoring were subjected to Chi-square (χ2) analysis using SAS software version 9.4(SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). The χ2 calculated was compared with the χ2 tabulated at p = 0.05 in order to determine whether the markers showed significant differences from the Mendelian segregation ratio of 1:1 between the observed and expected values obtained from the backcross population. The DNA scoring data obtained from background selection with the aid of the 79 polymorphic markers were further subjected to analysis using the genetic software Graphical Genotyper (GGT 2.0) [21]. This analysis was done to determine the genotypes with maximum recurrent parent genome recovery (RPGR). The agro-morphological data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics such as mean, standard error of the mean and standard deviation, co-efficient of variation and t-test using the SAS software.

3. Results

3.1. Marker-Assisted Pyramiding of Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Resistance Genes

The result obtained on initial parental polymorphism survey showed a clear polymorphism between the two parents Putra-1 (recurrent) × IRBB60 (donor) (Figure 1). The parental polymorphism was identified between the two parents in all four target resistance genes for Xoo using Xa21FR and pTA248 (Xa21), Xa13prom (xa13), RM21 and RM13 (xa5), MP (Xa4); and three blast resistance genes using RM8225 (Piz) and RM6836 (Pi9, Pi2 and Piz) (Table 1).

3.1.1. F1 Confirmation Using Polymorphic Tightly Linked Foreground Markers

A cross was made between Putra-1 and IRBB60 which produced the F1 seeds. A total of 72 F1 plants were grown from the F1 seeds and tested for heterozygosity using the foreground polymorphic markers. Four bacterial leaf blight (Xa21FR, Xa13prom, pTA248 and RM13) and two blast (RM8225 and RM6865) polymorphic foreground markers were used for the foreground selection. Out of the 72 grown F1 plants, a total of 46 plants were confirmed heterozygous true F1 plants and scored as ‘H’ using the Xa21FR polymorphic tightly-linked foreground marker (Figure 2). In order to determine the plants that carry all the target genes, the 46 heterozygous plants were screened with the other foreground markers and five plants were confirmed to carry both BLB (Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21) and blast (Piz, Pi2 and Pi9) R-genes. These five progenies were selected for use in crossing to produce BC1F1. Figure 2 shows banding pattern obtained from genotyping of F1 plants.

3.1.2. Marker Genotyping of BC1F1 Population

A total of 288 BC1F1 progenies were obtained from a cross between the best F1 progenies (F1 with both BLB and blast R-genes) and Putra-1 variety as female and male parents respectively. Out of the 288 BC1F1 progenies, 108 plants were heterozygous for Xa21 gene (144.2 bp and 132.1 bp), 125 for xa13 gene (310.7 bp and 483.8 bp), 118 for xa5 (186.5 bp and 162.2 bp), 122 for Xa4 (218.7 bp and 103.8 bp) and 112 for blast R-genes Pi9, Pi2 and Piz (243.6 bp and 217.9 bp). The Chi-square result of the six foreground markers showed no significant difference in the BC1F1 progenies from a 1:1 Mendelian segregation ratio. The result indicates that the foreground markers segregated according to the 1:1 segregation ratio for single gene model. Out of all heterozygous BC1F1 plants, the result obtained from foreground marker-assisted genotyping showed that only nine plants carried all the target genes for Xoo and blast resistance. The nine selected plants were later subjected to background selection.

3.1.3. Marker Genotyping of BC2F1 Population

At BC2F1 generation, a total of 268 rice crops were grown from the seeds of the best BC1F1 plants already confirmed and selected. The pyramiding of four target Xoo and three specific blast resistance genes were confirmed in 14 BC2F1 progenies with the aid of the foreground markers. Out of the 268 BC2F1 progenies, 106 plants each were heterozygous for Xa21 (144.2 bp and 132.1 bp) and xa13 (310.7 bp and 483.8 bp) genes, 104 for xa5 (164.0 bp and 154.0 bp), 96 for Xa4 (218.7 bp and 103.8 bp) and 104 for blast R-genes Pi9, Pi2 and Piz (243.6 bp and 217.9 bp). The Chi-square result obtained indicated a non-significant difference and/or goodness of fit to the 1:1 Mendelian expected test cross ratio for a single gene model at BC2F1. This is an indication of close association with the Xoo and blast R-genes for resistance to these particular bacterial and fungal infections. The result confirms the successful pyramiding of the target genes into the BC2F1 populations using marker-assisted foreground selection. Foreground markers are closely associated or linked to the gene of interest on the same chromosome and as such are carried from one generation to another [22,23].

3.1.4. Marker Genotyping of BC2F2 Population

The result obtained on foreground selection of BC2F2 population indicated that out of 218 BC2F2 progenies screened, 17 plants had homozygous allele for Xa21 gene (132.1 bp), 32 had homozygous allele for xa13 gene (483.8 bp), 29 had homozygous allele for xa5 gene (154.0 bp) while 115 plants had homozygous allele for Xa4 Xoo R-gene (103.8 bp). The result from Chi-square analysis indicates that the marker segregation ratios obtained for Xoo resistance did not correspond with the expected 1:2:1 Mendelian segregation ratio. However, at earlier backcrossing stages of BC1F1 and BC2F1, the foreground marker segregation ratios agreed with the expected Mendelian segregation ratio of 1:1 for single genes. The marker segregation skewed towards the homozygous alleles (A) of Putra-1 susceptible to the bacterial leaf blight infection but resistant to blast fungal disease. Also, the result showed that out of the 218 BC2F2 lines selected, 69 had homozygous blast R-gene alleles (243.6 bp) similar to Putra-1, 100 progenies displayed heterozygous bands for both blast and Xoo R-genes. The other 49 progenies had homozygous Xoo R-gene alleles similar to IRBB60. Unlike the result obtained in Xoo resistance marker segregation analysis, the Chi-square result for blast resistance marker segregation showed that the marker segregation ratio of 69:100:49 corresponded with 1:2:1 Mendelian segregation ratio, indicating a goodness of fit for blast resistance gene loci. Figure 3 and Figure 4 display some of the banding patterns obtained from foreground selection of BC2F2 plants.

3.1.5. Marker-Assisted Background Selection of Selected Pyramided Lines

In order to confirm that the pyramided lines maintained high yielding characteristic from the genetic background of Putra-1, the improved selected lines were molecularly screened using 79 polymorphic microsatellites markers. These 79 polymorphic microsatellites spread across the 12 chromosomes of rice covering the 1591 cM of the genome. The result in Table 2 shows the percentage RPGR and heterozygous segment of selected BC2F2 lines. The RPGR obtained ranged from 93.2% in 7–2–3–109 to 98.5% in 7–3–3–4. The mean percentage RPGR recorded in all the 16 selected lines across the 12 chromosomes was 95.9. The chromosome-wise RPGR of the 16 improved selected BC2F2 lines are shown in Figure 5. This result is an indication that the improved lines not only have been pyramided with Xoo and blast resistance genes, thereby incorporating a broad spectrum resistance against bacterial leaf blight and blast diseases but also maintained high yielding trait. Table 3 shows the genetic composition of the 16 newly developed lines with their respective gene pyramids.

3.1.6. Phenotypic Screening of Parents and the Hybrid F1 for Bacterial Leaf Blight Resistance

The result shows that percentage infection ranged from 42.86 to 63.70 (Table 4) in Putra-1 (the recurrent parent). The score of seven indicates that the Putra-1 variety was susceptible to Xoo. The percentage infection in IRBB60 ranged from 0.00 to 3.08 while the mean percentage infection was recorded as 1.76. The mean percentage score of 1.76 and disease score of 1 showed that the IRBB60 was resistant to bacterial leaf blight infection caused by Xoo. In the F1 progeny, percentage infection recorded ranged from 4.24 to 10.91. The average percentage infection was 6.35 while the mean disease score was recorded as 1. These results indicated that the F1 progenies have been introgressed with Xoo resistance genes and were resistant to the bacterial leaf blight infection.

3.1.7. Phenotypic Screening of Selected Improved BC2F2 Lines and Their Parents for Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Resistance

No symptom (lesion) of bacterial leaf blight was observed on the leaves of IRBB60 plants. The donor parent for bacterial leaf blight resistance genes IRBB60, displayed high level of resistance to bacterial leaf blight infection with a mean disease score of 0. The result shows that the donor parent IRBB60 has high level of resistance to Xoo. The recipient (recurrent) parent had a mean disease score of 7 indicating a susceptibility to bacterial leaf blight infection and this was evidenced by the symptoms observed on the plants. However, the disease score recorded for BC2F2 introgression lines ranged from 0 to 1 with a mean of 1. The results showed that the BC2F2 selected lines carried the Xoo R-genes and were resistant to the disease.
Putra-1 which carries the Pi blast resistance genes, displayed high level of resistance to rice blast with a disease score ranging from 0 to 1 while the mean score obtained was 0 indicating high resistance to blast infection. Incidentally, the other parent IRBB60 showed a moderate resistance to blast infection with a mean disease score of 3. The BC2F2 selected improved lines displayed resistance to blast disease with disease score ranging from 0 to 1 and a mean score of 1.

3.1.8. Inheritance of Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Resistance Compared to Mendelian Inheritance

The results of bacterial leaf blight and blast screening of BC2F2 progenies are as presented in Table 5 and Table 6. The Chi-square result shows a significant difference (p < 0.05) in segregation of resistance against Xoo in the single dominant gene model with regard to the expected and observed number of resistant and susceptible plants. The result implies inability of the plants to segregate according to the expected 3:1 ratio proposed by Mendel for single dominant genes. However, the Chi-square tests conducted on data obtained from segregation of resistance against blast in different gene models, viz; single gene model, two independent gene model and/or two locus interaction, revealed that the expected number of resistant and susceptible plants in the single dominant gene model’s segregation ratio did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from the observed number of resistant and susceptible plants, hence, they fitted to the 3:1 Mendelian segregation ratio. More so, the result in Table 6 shows there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the observed vs expected ratio for the two independent gene model and epistasis effects both in bacterial leaf blight and blast. Therefore, the segregation ratio did not fit into the 9:3:3:1 and 15:1 ratio of two independent gene model and epistasis effects respectively.

3.1.9. Agro-Morphological Performance of Selected Improved Lines Compared to the Recurrent Parent

The selected improved lines were evaluated based on twenty agro-morphological characteristics and the result was compared to the performance of their recurrent parent. The result showed that the newly improved lines differed significantly (p < 0.05) from their recurrent parents in all the twenty agro-morphological traits evaluated except leaf area, leaf area index and number of unfilled grains which were statistically the same (Table 7). Plant height was significantly reduced to 110.65 cm compared to the taller height of 116.50 cm recorded for their recurrent parent. Also, days to flowering and maturity of the selected improved lines were significantly reduced by 10 and 15 days, respectively, compared to what was obtained in the recurrent parents. However, there was significant increase in other major yield component traits such as number of panicles per hill, number of tillers, panicle length, number of leaves, total number of grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight and total grain weight per hill. The yield per hectare was also significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 0.37 tonnes per hectare as compared to the yield of the recurrent parent (Table 7).

4. Discussion

In this study, eight polymorphic tightly linked foreground markers were used to confirm the pyramiding of seven Xoo and blast resistance genes in the newly improved lines. The four Xoo resistance genes (Xa4 +xa5 + xa13 + Xa21) were introgressed from IRBB60 variety into the Malaysia elite variety Putra-1 with genetic background of three Pi genes, namely; Pi9, Pi2 and Piz leading to development of lines with seven gene pyramid (Xa4 + xa5 + xa13 + Xa21 + Pi9 + Pi2 + Piz) for broad spectrum resistance. Pyramiding may involve incorporating genes from two or more parents. For example, Pradhan et al. [4] pyramided three bacterial leaf blight (xa5 + xa13 + Xa21) resistance genes for broad-spectrum resistance in deep water rice variety, Jalmagna. Three major genes (Pi1, Piz-5 and Pita) were pyramided by Hittalmani et al. [24] using RFLP markers. Hittalmani et al. [24] and Castro et al. [25] combined genes originating from three parents for rice blast and stripe rust in barley, respectively. Gene pyramiding is difficult to achieve using conventional breeding alone because of linkage with some undesirable traits that is very difficult to break even after repeated backcrossings [26]. When two or more genes are introgressed, phenotypic evaluation has been unable to distinguish the effect of individual gene precisely since each gene confers resistance to and combats multiple races of the pathogen. Moreover, in the presence of a dominant and a recessive allele, the effect of the recessive gene is masked. The advent and easy availability of molecular markers closely associated with each of the resistance genes makes identification of plants with multiple genes possible. Earlier efforts to generate three-gene pyramids in the backgrounds of rice cultivars PR106 [27], Pusa Basmati [28] and Samba Mahsuri by the collaborative work of the Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India (DRR) and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India (CCMB) have been successful [29].
Studies conducted to identify the best gene combinations conferring broad-spectrum resistance showed that the four-gene combination was the most effective and did not show any sign of breakdown of resistance to various strains of Xoo from different parts of the country [30]. Shanty et al. [31] worked on the pyramiding of four BLB resistance genes Xa4, xa5, xa13 and Xa21 through marker-assisted selection (MAS) in the Xoo susceptible high yielding rice cv. Mahsuri and parental lines of hybrid rice, maintainers IR58025B and Pusa 6B and the restorer lines KMR3 and PRR78 simultaneously. The results showed increased and broad spectrum resistance to the pathogen populations from different parts of India. The work was the first successful example of the use of molecular markers in foreground selection in conjunction with conventional breeding for the simultaneous introgression of genes of interest into multiple backgrounds [31].
Popular plant varieties, adopted in large-scale production, may have some undesirable traits. These cultivars are generally high-yielding but may be highly susceptible to the attack of a certain disease or insect. In some cases, these are of poor grain quality, and thus command lower prices in the market. Also, long-term cultivation of single variety with wide adoption can lead to a shift in race or biotype frequency and ultimately cause resistance breakdown [32].
Pyramiding of genes reduces loss of resistance [27,33]. Thus, to further extend the use of these popular varieties, new traits or genes are being introduced through a series of backcrossing [34]. However, pyramiding is difficult or impossible using the conventional approach due to masking and/or epistatic effects of the genes being combined [35]. Moreover, some genes have similar reactions to two or more races or biotypes; thus they prove rather difficult to identify and transfer through conventional approaches [27]. Most of the rice varieties in the Philippines have Xa4 and xa5 genes for bacterial leaf blight resistance and some have no resistance at all [36]. With the identification of new genes like Xa21, Xa22 and Xa23 or the Om gene from Oryza minuta, varieties developed earlier can be improved through the incorporation of these new important genes [37]. Several Xoo resistance genes have been mapped and tagged using DNA markers and these can be explored in improving resistance [38]. Among the more than two dozen genes reported [39,40,41,42,43], eight genes (Xa3, Xa4, xa5, Xa7, xa8, Xa10, xa13 and Xa21) have been introgressed in common genetic background using marker-aided selection [27,33,35,44,45,46]. Lines with single or combinations of genes have been identified using different DNA markers closely linked to the genes. Classical introgression of new genes is being done through a series of backcrossing and selection, and this procedure needs a longer time and requires large resources. The use of DNA as markers for selection has streamlined and facilitated the whole process even without inoculation [37].
In the BC2F2 of this study, segregation distortion was observed among marker loci close to Xoo resistance genes. A study conducted by Jin et al. [47] showed that in 300 F2 populations evaluated, the foreground marker segregation for the BADH2 gene did not correspond with the expected 1:2:1 Mendelian segregation ratio. Also, the result reported by Amarawathi et al. [48] did not fit into the tested ratio of 1:2:1 for nksbad2 marker, hence segregation distortion in their RIL individuals. Lau [49] also observed a segregation ratio of 69:46:44 which failed to fit into the 1:2:1 ratio and the result was attributed to segregation distortion of foreground markers. In the same vein, Muthusamy et al. [50] reported distortion of foreground marker segregation which was observed in all the backcross stages performed in maize and this was without regard to the size of population evaluated. Therefore, population size of BC2F2 progenies could not be taken as a factor responsible for the foreground markers segregation distortion observed in this study. The BC1F1 and BC2F1 both fitted into the Mendel’s single gene segregation ratio despite having varying population sizes. The distortion of foreground markers segregation observed at Xoo resistance locus could be attributed to variation in environmental factors. Bing et al. [51] and Xu et al. [52] all reported that distortion of marker segregation could be as a result of environmental issues. Similarly, studies conducted by Muthusamy et al. [50] showed that the distortion in foreground marker segregation in maize backcrossings was due to backcrossings performed during winter season. Wang et al. [53] discovered distortion of marker segregation particularly in F2 population which were grown at a particular altitude, but when grown at other altitudes, marker segregation distortion was not detected. There is, therefore, every likelihood that the markers segregation distortion observed in this study was due to environmental effects as the BC2F2 progenies were planted at varied weather conditions compared to BC1F1 and BC2F1 in 2019 and 2018 as obtainable in Malaysia’s agro-ecology. Notwithstanding, the functional markers used in this study facilitated the identification of the genotypes with the targeted Xoo resistance genes in addition to the already established background genetic make-up of blast resistance in Putra-1.
This Chi-square result obtained for blast resistance loci was in line with the result reported by Tanweer et al. [54] who recorded foreground marker segregation ratio of 53:106:41 and 55:107:38 for RM208 and RM206 respectively which fitted into the 1:2:1 segregation ratio expected from Mendel studies. Also, Miah et al. [15] reported a segregation ratio of 52:127:74 (RM8225) and 54:132:67 (RM6836) which did not differ significantly from the expected Mendelian ratio of 1:2:1. It is important to confirm the introgression of target gene by phenotyping in the developed cross mainly at individual level as individual phenotypic performance is a good indicator of the genotype provided that genes have major effect on phenotypic expression and the phenotyping error is less [55]. Phenotypic selection for desirable agro-morphological traits has always been done along with backcross selection [23]. On the other hand, Young and Tanksley [56] proposed that the genotypic selection which was later referred to as background selection [57] involved screening the allelic pedigree throughout the genome with the aid of markers. Singh et al. [58] reported that foreground selection for target genes followed by stringent phenotyping gives superior yield.
The high RPGR in this study could be as a result of the stringent phenotypic selection done at every backcross generation and selfing. This strategy reduced both time and economic resources input. Singh et al. [59] also reported that phenotypic and marker-assisted selections increase the RPGR. The result obtained in this present study was in contrast with the findings made by Sabu et al. [60] and Martinez et al. [61] who found no significant difference in grain yield between the parental cultivar and its progenies. Hossain et al. [62] noted that number of panicles is the result of productive tillers which survived to produce panicles. The significant increase in yield contributing traits such as number of tillers, number of panicles, number of leaves, etc., recorded in this present study could have resulted to the significant increase in grain yield per hectare obtained. Dutta et al. [63] and Kusutani et al. [64] both reported that higher grain yield in rice genotypes is associated with number of productive tillers per hill and number of grains per panicle. Similarly, seed length and width are essential quantifiable characteristics that are closely related to the external physical quality of rice [65,66]. Juliano [67] reported that seed length and width determines the grain/seed shape of rice. There was a significant difference in the seed length and width of the newly improved selected rice lines compared to their original recurrent parent. However, both lines have slender seed shape (seed length:width ratio >3.0). Shi and Zhu [68] reported that seed shape is concurrently controlled by cytoplasmic and maternal genes as well as triploid endosperm.

5. Conclusions

The four Xoo R-genes from IRBB60 were successfully introgressed into the backcross progenies and fixed in plants that had homozygous Xa-genes similar to IRBB60 and homozygous Pi-genes similar to Putra-1 in the BC2F2 generation. Based on the MABB method and combined phenotypic selection strategy adopted in this breeding programme, 16 progenies from the BC2F2 generation were selected as advanced backcross rice lines with characteristic high yielding, resistance to bacterial leaf blight and blast diseases. The result obtained from this study reveals that resistance to Xoo pathotype P7.7 in IRBB60 was neither due to two independent gene action nor epistasis but most likely due to single nuclear gene action. The result also clearly showed that the inheritance of blast resistance to pathotype P7.2 was mainly due to single gene action. More so, the pyramiding of seven resistance genes in the newly developed lines shows the presence of horizontal resistance. It is suggested that only the existence of horizontal resistance along with the vertical component could help varieties with enhanced and sustainable resistance to bacterial leaf blight and blast. Therefore, the pyramiding of seven bacterial leaf blight and blast resistance genes (Xa4 + xa5 + xa13 + Xa21; Pi9 + Pi2 + Piz) in the newly developed lines would guarantee broad spectrum resistance to bacterial leaf blight and blast diseases. The newly developed lines are recommended as new varieties suitable for commercial cultivation in Malaysia and other rice growing regions.

Author Contributions

S.C.C. and M.Y.R. conceived and designed the experiment. S.C.C. conducted the experiments. S.C.C. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. M.Y.R., S.I.R. and S.I.I. proof read the manuscript. S.C.C., M.Y.R. and Y.O. performed data analysis. S.C.C., M.Y.R., K.K., J.H., I.M. (Ibrahim Musa), I.M. (Isma’ila Muhammad) and M.A. provided resources. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study was supported by the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HiCoE) Research Grant (Vot number 6369105), Ministry of Education, Malaysia. Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) by Nigeria government provided initial sponsorship.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all researchers and colleagues whose published works were useful as reference during the study. This study was supported by the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HiCoE) Research Grant (Vot number 6369105), Ministry of Education, Malaysia. We express our appreciation for the fund received from HiCoE for research activities on improvement of rice crop against diseases.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Molecular screening of parental genotypes for polymorphism using Xa13prom foreground marker linked to the xa13 gene.
Figure 1. Molecular screening of parental genotypes for polymorphism using Xa13prom foreground marker linked to the xa13 gene.
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Figure 2. Genotyping and foreground marker-assisted selection of F1 progenies using polymorphic tightly linked foreground marker. A: Putra-1; B: IRBB60. H: heterozygote. 1, 2, 3, …, 20 are some F1 plants. Electrophoresis running on 3% metaphor agarose gel stained with 10 μL of gel view per 100 mL. L: 50 bp DNA ladder.
Figure 2. Genotyping and foreground marker-assisted selection of F1 progenies using polymorphic tightly linked foreground marker. A: Putra-1; B: IRBB60. H: heterozygote. 1, 2, 3, …, 20 are some F1 plants. Electrophoresis running on 3% metaphor agarose gel stained with 10 μL of gel view per 100 mL. L: 50 bp DNA ladder.
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Figure 3. Genotyping and foreground marker-assisted selection of BC2F2 progenies using polymorphic tightly linked markers. Note: Only homozygous “B” allele for Xoo resistance genes were selected at BC2F2. M: 100 bp DNA ladder.
Figure 3. Genotyping and foreground marker-assisted selection of BC2F2 progenies using polymorphic tightly linked markers. Note: Only homozygous “B” allele for Xoo resistance genes were selected at BC2F2. M: 100 bp DNA ladder.
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Figure 4. Genotyping and foreground marker-assisted selection of BC2F2 progenies using polymorphic tightly linked marker. Note: Only homozygous “A” allele for blastresistance genes were selected at BC2F2. M: 100 bp DNA ladder.
Figure 4. Genotyping and foreground marker-assisted selection of BC2F2 progenies using polymorphic tightly linked marker. Note: Only homozygous “A” allele for blastresistance genes were selected at BC2F2. M: 100 bp DNA ladder.
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Figure 5. Chromosome-wise RPGR of 16 improved lines.Note: Red lines represent homozygous region for Putra-1 alleles, blue lines represent homozygous regions for IRBB60 alleles while yellow lines represent heterozygous region.
Figure 5. Chromosome-wise RPGR of 16 improved lines.Note: Red lines represent homozygous region for Putra-1 alleles, blue lines represent homozygous regions for IRBB60 alleles while yellow lines represent heterozygous region.
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Table
Table 1. Information of markers used for foreground selection of target Xoo and blast resistance genes.
Table 1. Information of markers used for foreground selection of target Xoo and blast resistance genes.
S/nMarkerGeneDonorChromo.Dist. (cM)Rep MotifPrimer Sequence (F)Primer Sequence (R)Putra1 (bp)IRBB60 (bp)Exp. (bp)
Blast
1.RM6836Piz, Pi2, Pi9Putra-1654.1(TCT)14TGTTGCATATGGTGCTATTTGAGATACGGCTTCTAGGCCAAA243.6217.9240
2.RM8225PizPutra-1654.1A11N(AAG)14ATGCGTGTTCAGAAATTAGGTTGTTGTATACCTCATCGACAG267.9246.0221
Xoo
3.MPXa4IRBB604--ATCGATCGATCTTCACGAGGTCGTATAAAAGGCATTCGGG218.7103.8150
4.RM13xa5IRBB605 (GA)6-(GA)16TCCAACATGGCAAGAGAGAGGGTGGCATTCGATTCCAG186.5162.2141
5.RM21xa5IRBB601185.7(GA)18ACAGTATTCCGTAGGCACGGGCTCCATGAGGGTGGTAGAG164.0154.0157
6.Xa13promxa13IRBB608--GGCCATGGCTCAGTGTTTATGAGCTCCAGCTCTCCAAATG310.7483.8450
7.Xa21FRXa21IRBB6011--TCCAACATGGCAAGAGAGAGGGTGGCATTCGATTCCAG144.2132.1140
8.pTA248Xa21IRBB601195.8-AGACGCGGAAGGGTGGTTCCCGGAAGACGCGGTAATCGAAGATGAAA500.0686.6925
Note: Exp. bp = Expected base pairs; bp = base pairs.
Table
Table 2. Percentage RPGR and heterozygous segment of selected BC2F2 lines.
Table 2. Percentage RPGR and heterozygous segment of selected BC2F2 lines.
Ind. No.Improved LinesGenome Proportion (%)Genome Size (cM)Total (cM)RecombinantsH-Segments
ABHABH
17–4–3–15797.11.01.91544.516.430.11591114
27–3–3–12294.34.31.41500.569.021.5159161
37–3–3–994.00.95.11495.114.381.6159152
47–3–3–19696.00.63.41528.09.054.0159183
57–3–3–12096.30.53.21531.88.350.9159183
67–3–3–20893.31.84.91484.428.278.41591125
77–3–3–15597.90.71.41557.911.321.8159162
87–3–3–498.70.90.51569.613.97.5159193
97–2–3–10993.22.84.01483.644.562.91591197
107–2–3–16195.63.70.71520.658.511.9159172
117–2–3–14495.82.51.81523.639.228.2159161
127–2–3–196.92.01.11542.231.817.0159172
137–2–3–5094.10.25.61497.73.889.5159193
147–2–3–17296.12.01.91529.431.530.51591134
157–2–3–16696.92.01.11542.231.817.0159172
167–2–3–1498.50.51.01566.88.315.9159193
Mean95.91.72.41525.927.437.815918.92.9
Note: A = recurrent parent genome (Putra-1), B = donor parent genome (IRBB60), H = heterozygote, cM = centi Morgan.
Table
Table 3. Genetic composition of BC2F2 selected lines pyramided with multiple R-genes for broad spectrum and durable resistance.
Table 3. Genetic composition of BC2F2 selected lines pyramided with multiple R-genes for broad spectrum and durable resistance.
s/nImproved LinesPyramided GenesReaction to Xoo Reaction to M. oryzae
Pathotype P7.7Pathotype P7.2
17–4–3–157Xa21 + xa13 + xa5 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizHRHR
27–3–3–122xa13 + xa5 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
37–3–3–9Xa21 + xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
47–3–3–196Xa21 + xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizHRHR
57–3–3–120xa13 + xa5 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
67–3–3–208Xa21 + xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
77–3–3–155Xa21 + xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
87–3–3–4Xa21 + xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizHRHR
97–2–3–109xa5 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
107–2–3–161xa5 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRR
117–2–3–144xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
127–2–3–1xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
137–2–3–50xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
147–2–3–172xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
157–2–3–166xa5 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRR
167–2–3–14xa13 + Xa4 + Pi2 + Pi9 + PizRHR
Note: R = Resistant; HR = Highly resistant.
Table
Table 4. Reaction of Putra-1 and IRBB60 parental varieties including the F1 progenies to Xoo isolate.
Table 4. Reaction of Putra-1 and IRBB60 parental varieties including the F1 progenies to Xoo isolate.
Genotype% InfectionScoreHR
Putra-152.617S
IRBB601.761R
F1 hybrid6.351R
Table
Table 5. Observed and expected segregation ratios of resistant and susceptible plants in the BC2F2 generation challenged with pathotype P7.7 and P7.2 of Xoo and Magnaporthe oryzae.
Table 5. Observed and expected segregation ratios of resistant and susceptible plants in the BC2F2 generation challenged with pathotype P7.7 and P7.2 of Xoo and Magnaporthe oryzae.
ReactionObservedExpectedChi-Square (3:1)
BLB
Resistant20616510.19
Susceptible145530.56
Total22022040.75
Blast
Resistant1551650.63
Susceptible65551.89
Total2202202.53
Df = 1, χ2(0.05, 1) = 3.84.
Table
Table 6. Chi-square test for independent genes (9:3:3:1) and epistasis effects (15:1) for BLB and blast resistance in BC2F2 population inoculated with the most virulent pathotype P7.7 and P7.2 of Xoo and Magnaporthe oryzae respectively.
Table 6. Chi-square test for independent genes (9:3:3:1) and epistasis effects (15:1) for BLB and blast resistance in BC2F2 population inoculated with the most virulent pathotype P7.7 and P7.2 of Xoo and Magnaporthe oryzae respectively.
Gene ModelObservedExpectedχ2 Values
RMRMSSRMRMSS(9:3:3:1)
BLB
Independent gene17330116123.7541.2441.2513.7549.22
Epistasis effect214––6206.25––13.754.66
Blast
Independent gene85673830123.7541.2441.2513.7547.69
Epistasis effect190––30206.25––13.7520.48
Where χ20.05, 3 = 7.81; χ20.05, 1 = 3.84. Note: R = Resistant; MR = Moderately resistant; MS = Moderately susceptible and S = Susceptible for two independent genes while R, MR and MS were considered as resistant and S as susceptible for epistasis effect.
Table
Table 7. Descriptive t-test and co-efficient of variation for mean comparison between the selected improved BC2F2 lines and their recurrent (recipient) parent using independent t-test.
Table 7. Descriptive t-test and co-efficient of variation for mean comparison between the selected improved BC2F2 lines and their recurrent (recipient) parent using independent t-test.
LINESPH (cm)FLL (cm)FLW (cm)LA (cm2)LAIFLWRNP/H (No.)DF (Days)DM (Days)NL (No.)NT (No.)PL (cm)TNG/P (No.)NUFG (No.)1000GW (g)TGW/H (g)SL (cm)SW (cm)SLWRY/HA (t/ha)
BC2F2110.65 a36.85 a2.81 a103.62a0.17 a13.14 a15.94 a75.75 a105.75 a80.31 a16.06 a32.64 a177.56 a42.81 a79.45 a52.74 a0.95 a0.25 a3.86 a8.44 a
SE±1.13±1.35±0.04±4.15±0.01±0.48±0.84±0.66±0.66±4.44±0.89±0.62±7.40±5.30±0.54±2.32±0.02±0.00±0.08±0.37
Recurrent parent116.50 b33.80 b2.70 b68.28 a0.11 a12.56 b15.00 b85.67 b120.67 b75.00 b15.00 b31.83 b148.00 b115.33 a75.53 b50.41 b0.97 b0.25 b3.92 b8.07 b
SE±1.40±1.89±0.06±2.36±0.00±0.97±0.58±1.45±0.88±2.89±0.58±1.05±3.61±7.22±0.75±1.86±0.02±0.00±0.11±0.30
Independent t-test38.8323.1651.824.864.9444.6133.0016.2715.1829.2429.2428.1911.012.1823.8544.3578.59110.11135.8944.89
p < 0.050.01640.02750.01230.12910.12710.01430.01930.03910.04190.02180.02180.02260.05760.27370.02670.01440.00810.00580.00470.0142
CV3.646.112.7329.0728.613.174.298.699.324.844.845.0312.8464.855.933.191.801.281.043.15
Note: PH = plant height, FLL = flag leaf length, FLW = flag leaf width, LA = leaf area, LAI = leaf area index, FLWR = flag−leaf length:width ratio, NP/H = number of panicles per hill, DF = days to 50% flowering, DM = days to maturity, NL = number of leaves, NT = number of tillers, PL = panicle length, TNG/P = total number of grains per panicle, NUFG = number of unfilled grain per panicle, 1000 GW = one thousand grain weight, TGW/H = total grain weight per hill, SL = seed length, SW = seed width, SLWR = seed length:width ratio, Y/HA = yield per hectare, CV = co-efficient of variation. Means not followed by the same letter (a,b) are significantly different at 5% level of probability.

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Chukwu, S.C.; Rafii, M.Y.; Ramlee, S.I.; Ismail, S.I.; Oladosu, Y.; Kolapo, K.; Musa, I.; Halidu, J.; Muhammad, I.; Ahmed, M. Marker-Assisted Introgression of Multiple Resistance Genes Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance against Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Diseases in PUTRA-1 Rice Variety. Agronomy 2020, 10, 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010042

AMA Style

Chukwu SC, Rafii MY, Ramlee SI, Ismail SI, Oladosu Y, Kolapo K, Musa I, Halidu J, Muhammad I, Ahmed M. Marker-Assisted Introgression of Multiple Resistance Genes Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance against Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Diseases in PUTRA-1 Rice Variety. Agronomy. 2020; 10(1):42. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010042

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chukwu, Samuel C., Mohd Y. Rafii, Shairul I. Ramlee, Siti I. Ismail, Yusuff Oladosu, Kazeem Kolapo, Ibrahim Musa, Jamilu Halidu, Isma’ila Muhammad, and Muideen Ahmed. 2020. "Marker-Assisted Introgression of Multiple Resistance Genes Confers Broad Spectrum Resistance against Bacterial Leaf Blight and Blast Diseases in PUTRA-1 Rice Variety" Agronomy 10, no. 1: 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010042

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