Identification of SSR Markers Linked to Regions Associated with Protein Content in F2 Population of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Improvement of rice proteins is important in rice breeding for high nutritional quality. The objective of this study was to identify protein associated regions in the chromosomes in F2 population of the cross derived from swarna and Mahamaya, Parental polymorphism survey between Mahamaya and Swarna was studied using 24 SSR markers. Out of 24 markers, 4 (16%) were polymorphic, 185 F2 plants were assayed individually for protein content and genotyping. Total grain protein content ranged from 4.12 to 12.0 per cent in F2 population. The strategy of selective genotyping was carried out with the F2 plants. The results showed that these three markers RM1369 on chromosome number 6, RM263 on chromosome number 2 and RM337 on chromosome number 8 were unlinked among themselves. Since for mapping a minimum of two markers per locus are required, the data obtained for this study were analyzed by Recombination frequency. Recombination frequency values revealed the association of markers, RM1369 (Chromosome-6) with high protein content (Recombination frequency=0.41) and low protein content (Recombination frequency=0.25), RM263(Chromosome-2) with high protein content (Recombination frequency =0.37%) and low protein content (Recombination frequency =0.33%) and RM337 (Chromosome-8) with high protein content (Recombination frequency =0.22%) and low protein content (Recombination frequency =0.18). This trial study reveals that the above markers can be utilized for identification of regions associated with protein content in rice.