Evaluation of genotypes for identification of potential restorers and maintainers for development of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A study was undertaken for identification of maintainers and restorers to use in hybrid rice breeding programme. In the present study 45 test crosses were developed by crossing three CMS lines with fifteen elite rice genotypes in line x tester design. The resultant 45 test crosses were evaluated and classified as restorers (14), partial restorers (21), partial maintainers (9) and maintainer (1) based on pollen fertility and spikelet fertility percentage. Some of the genotypes exhibited differential fertility reaction with CMS lines. Among the fifteen genotypes tested for their fertility restoration reaction, the genotypes viz., RNR-17473, WGL-451 and WGL-3962 were found to be restorers with all the three CMS lines studied. Potential restorers found in the present investigation could be used in hybrid rice breeding programme to develop promising rice hybrids. Only one maintainer identified in this study could be developed as new CMS line by repeated backcross breeding with their respective F1’s.