Development of double-haploid lines for enhanced micronutrient content in rice
2008
Grewal, D. | Virk, P. | Barry, G., International Rice Rice Research Inst. Los Baños, Laguna (Philippines)
Among the major nutritional problems common in rice-consuming countries are: protein-energy malnutrition; and iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A deficiencies. It is estimated that more than 3 billion people in the developing world are iron deficient. Since rice is the staple food of more than half of the worlds' population even a small increase in its nutritive value would be highly beneficial for human health. Several strategies including supplementation and fortification programs are continuing to address this problem. Recently, breeding staples with high micro nutrient content dubbed 'biofortification' has evolved as a new strategy to address micronutrient malnutrition. At IRRI, the authors have generated data for iron and zinc content in the brown rice on more than 500 lines. A sub set of promising lines from above was screened for micronutrient content in the polished grains. The authors have identified donors for high zinc content ( 20 ppm) and almost double the iron content (7 ppm) than the popular varieties in the polished grains. To accelerate the development of elite lines with increased micronutrient content a breeding program based on anther culture derived doubled haploids (DH). More than 250 DH lines are being field evaluated initiated from 3 single crosses involving popular rice varieties and the donor lines while another set 600 DH lines have been developed from 6 backcrosses. The current status to breed micronutrient enriched rice lines are presented.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by University of the Philippines at Los Baños