ABSTRACT A better understanding of the various desirable characteristics present in chili (Capsicum annuum L.) genotypes has aided in developing more effective selection methods for crop improvement. Identifying genetically superior parents is critical in selecting the best parents and inbred lines for breeding purposes. This study was conducted over two planting seasons in glasshouse using morpho-physiological parameters to evaluate the heritability variation of selected chili genotypes based on their genetic diversity for future breeding program. Significant variances were observed in all the studied parameters across the chili pepper accessions with an inclusive range of diversity. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation (≥ 20%) was observed for all physiological and yield characteristics. While the highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (≥ 20%) was seen for all examined characteristics. All studied parameter had high broad sense heritability (˃ 55%) except total number of branches per plant (47.9%) while the moderate to high genetic advance were observer for all studied traits demonstrating that the extents of heritability and variability are due to their genetic makeup and environment had little influence on these characters. The evaluated genotypes were grouped into seven clusters based on the cluster analysis and Group I recorded highest yield with eight genotypes while Groups III, IV, V, VI, and VII recorded one each. Plant height and total branch number showed a highly significant positive correlation with the number of fruits per plant and yield per plant. Similarly, the number of fruits per plant had a highly significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant. The study revealed that genetic variability might be usefully exploited through selection for further breeding purposes to increase yield and production.

ABSTRACT Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae is one of the major hindrances in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production across the world including Malaysia. Therefore, the development of disease-resistant varieties remains a very economical and effective method of controlling BLB in rice. Based on this background, this study was conducted to analyze segregation pattern of simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with BLB resistance genes in an F2 bulk population derived from a resistant variety (IRBB60) and a susceptible variety (MR219). Out of 129 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers screened, 18 distinct polymorphism markers including R-gene based markers were used to screen 345 F2 progenies for resistance to BLB. Among the polymorphic markers, the chi-square analyses showed that 15 SSR markers (i.e. RM13 (xa5), RM21 (Xa21), RM122 (xa5), RM153 (xa5), RM164 (Xa13), RM206 (Xa10), RM5509, RM20B, RM25, RM163, RM169, RM218, RM267, RM276, and RM334) had a segregation ratio of 1:2:1 for a single gene model (df = 2.0, p ≤ 0.05). For phenotypic ratio, the F2 population segregated in ratio 3:1 (R:S) for resistant and susceptible plants, respectively. This indicated that resistance to BLB caused by pathotype X. oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) in the ‘MR219’ × ‘IRBB60’ F2 population is controlled by single dominant genes. The result presented in this study will help breeders to further breeding research in rice by enabling selection based on the genotype rather than on the phenotype. Similarly, the markers reported in this study will serve as a valuable tool for marker-aided selection for BLB resistance gene.

Genetic variability with mutagenic agents has been employed in plant breeding due to its significant contribution to the improvement of the existing rice genotypes by using genetically diverse parents. This study evaluated the genetic variability and diversity of mutant rice using quantitative traits and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) molecular markers. A field experiment was carried out on M5 generation of 31 developed mutant lines and their parent (control). Morphological traits and 25 ISSR molecular markers were used as tools for determining cultivar identities and genetic diversity. The selected primers generated 443 clear polymorphic bands with an average number of 18 per primer. The bands were 85.10 % polymorphic. Un-weighted Pair Group of Arithmetic Means (UPGMA) with similarity coefficients were used for cluster analysis. Through this, all the genotypes were grouped into six clusters. It was shown that crosses between MR219-ML8 and MR219-ML22 could be done for development of high yielding varieties. Also, these mutants could be used as donor parents in rice breeding programs and some can be recommended as new rice varieties suitable for rice cultivation in Malaysia.

La variabilidad genética con agentes mutagénicos se ha usada en el cultivo de plantas debido a su contribución significativa a la mejora de los genotipos existentes de arroz a través de padres genéticamente diversos. En este estudio se evalúo la variabilidad y diversidad de mutantes de arroz mediante rasgos cuantitativos y marcadores moleculares de inter-secuencias simples repetidas (ISSR). El estudio se realizó en campo, en la generación M5 de 31 líneas mutantes desarrolladas y su padre (testigo). Características morfológicas y 25 marcadores ISSR se utilizaron como herramientas para determinar las identidades y diversidad genética de los cultivares. Los iniciadores seleccionados generaron claras 443 bandas polimórficas claras con un número promedio de 18 bandas por iniciador. Las bandas fueron 85.10 % polimórficas. El método no ponderado de pares de grupo de medias aritméticas (UPGMA) con coeficientes de similitud se usó para el análisis de los grupos. Mediante esto, todos los genotipos se agruparon en seis grupos. Las cruzas entre MR219-ML8 y MR219-ML22 podrían generarse para desarrollar variedades de alto rendimiento. Además, estos mutantes se pueden usar como padres donadores en programas de mejoramiento de arroz y algunos pueden recomendarse como variedades nuevas de arroz adecuadas para su cultivo en Malasia.

The BC2F1 population was derived from a cross between rice variety, MR219 (susceptible to blast) and Pongsu Seribu 1 (resistant to blast). The objectives of this research were to know the inheritance pattern of blast resistance and to identify the linked markers associated with blast resistance in BC2F1 population. Sixteen microsatellite markers were found as polymorphic between the parents related to blast resistant genes (Pi-genes). Among the selected blast resistant linked markers, two markers RM6836 and RM8225 showed expected testcross ratio (1:1) for single-gene model in the BC2F1 population with the association between resistant and susceptible progeny. A total of 333-BC2F1 plants were challenged with the most virulent pathotype P7.2 of Magnaporthe oryzae. Chi-square (χ2) analysis for phenotypic segregation in single-gene model showed goodness of fit (P = 0.4463) to the expected segregation ratio (1:1). In marker segregation analysis, two polymorphic markers (RM6836 and RM8225) clearly showed goodness of fit to the expected segregation testcross ratio (1:1) for the single-gene model. The marker RM8225 and RM6836 showed significant R2 values higher than 10 for the trait of the blast lesions degree (BLD). The positions of RM6836 and RM8225 markers on rice chromosome 6 and the distance between these two markers is 0.2 cM. We conclude that single dominant gene control the blast resistance in Pongsu Seribu 1 located on chromosome 6, which is linked to RM8225 and RM6836 microsatellite markers. This information could be useful in marker-assisted selection for blast resistance in rice breeding involving Pongsu Seribu 1.