Allelic Variations in Aroma Gene in Cultivated Rice Varieties

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Date
2020Author
Akwero, A.
Ocan, D.
Akech, W.
Lamo, J.
Ochwo-Ssemakula, M.
Rubaihayo, P.
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Show full item recordAbstract
Germplasm is a valuable source of genetic diversity that supports crop improvement efforts in any
breeding programme but it must first be fully characterised for economically valuable traits before it
can be effectively utilised. In rice (Oryza sativa), the development of new varieties with improved
aroma requires correct phenotyping and prior knowledge of the available genes and alleles governing
the aroma trait in the gene pool. Correct phenotyping and genotyping can be achieved using sensory
methods and functional markers associated with polymorphisms that define the aroma genes. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the aroma status of rice accessions and to assess for the
various alleles of badh2 gene using functional markers. A total of 56 rice accessions were evaluated
at National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Uganda for their aroma using sensory
methods and a molecular marker to differentiate between aromatic and non- aromatic accessions. The
aromatic accessions were then evaluated for variations within the betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase2
(badh2) gene responsible for aroma in rice using functional markers. Sensory evaluation of aroma
identified 23 accessions to be aromatic; while 33 were non-aromatic. Molecular results identified 20
accessions as aromatic; while 36 accessions were non-aromatic. Functional marker analysis indicated
the presence of badh2-E7 allele in 20 aromatic accessions within this collection that could be employed
in the breeding programme for the rice aromatic trait.