DNA FINGERPRINTING OF CMS, RESTORER, MAINTAINER LINES OF HYBRID RICE

Rice is the main food crop for more than half of the world population. It has been estimated that the world will have to produce 60% more rice by 2030 than what is produced in 1995 (Yuan L P. 2004). Hybrid rice grows faster, yield more, and resist stress better than either parent (Yuan L P. 2012). So, hybrid rice has been proved practically for many years playing a critical role in solving the food problem by more than 20% yield advantage over improved inbred varieties (Yuan L P. 1996, 1997). Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae isolates numbering 30 obtained from hybrid lines, their cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), restorer, maintainer and inbred lines, revealed a greater amount of genetic diversity. Fifteen lineages were detected at a similarity level of 60%. The result emphasizes that these pathotypes are mismatched with the genes, xa-5, xa-13 and Xa-21 suggesting the possibility of pyramiding them for enhancing the resistance in the rice hybrids.