Research Projects

Rice, the world's staple food, faces challenges in increasing yield levels and productivity due to stagnating hybrids and varieties. Inter-specific heterosis or indica x japonica hybrids offer a powerful strategy to increase production and productivity. The development of highly heterotic, superior, and high-yielding inter-specific rice hybrids is crucial. The discovery of a wide compatibility gene (S5n) has overcome hybrid sterility in indica x japonica hybrids. Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding can be used to transfer the WC gene into hybrid rice parental lines. This study is relevant in the current context, as it aims to develop wide compatible versions of TNAUCMS 2B and COMS 24B, the female parents of released/pipeline rice hybrids suited for Tamil Nadu, through marker-aided introgression of the wide compatible gene and precise phenotypic selection.