Pyramiding of cry1Ab and fgr Genes in Two Iranian Rice Cultivars Neda and Nemat

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Pyramiding genes related to grain quality and resistance through marker assisted selection (MAS) is an important approach in rice breeding programs. Marker-assisted selection can be used for monitoring the presence or absence of these genes in breeding populations and can be combined with conventional breeding approaches. This study is a part of cultivar development program in Iran through integration of conventional breeding with marker assisted selection. Crosses between two high yielding transgenic lines carrying an insect resistance gene (cry1Ab, from Bacillus thuringiensis) with a local aromatic variety were made followed by selection for incorporation of insect resistance and aroma (fgr) genes in desirable single F2 plants. Finally, plants homozygous for aroma and carrying cry1Ab genes with good agronomic performance were identified. Further analyses are underway on these plants in F3 generation. These plants promise to develop new aromatic Bt rice lines through integration of classical and molecular breeding in the near future in Iran