A new rice gall midge resistance gene in the breeding line CR57-MR1523, mapping with flanking markers and development of NILs

Gall midge is the third most destructive insect pests of rice after stem borers and planthoppers. Host plant resistance has been recognized as the most effective and economic, means for gall midge management. With the characterization of a new gall midge biotype (GMB) 4M, unique feature of gall midge resistance in the breeding line CR57-MR1523 was highlighted. Multi-location evaluation of F₃ families derived from the cross TN1 × CR57-MR1523 against different gall midge biotypes helped to identify a new dominant gene conferring resistance against GMB4. This gene has been designated as Gm11t. Though CR57-MR1523 has been extensively used in breeding gall midge resistant rice varieties like Suraksha, neither the genetics of resistance nor chromosomal location of the resistance gene(s) is known. In the present study we have tagged and mapped the new gall midge resistance gene, Gm11t, on chromosome 12, using SSR markers. To map the gene locus, 466 F₁₀ generation Recurrent Inbred Lines (RILs), from the cross of TN1 × CR57-MR1523 were used. Of the 471 SSR markers spread across the rice genome, 56 markers showed polymorphism and were used to screen a subset of the mapping population consisting of 10 resistant (R) and 10 susceptible (S) F₁₀ RILs. Six SSR markers, RM28706, RM235, RM17, RM28784, RM28574 and RM28564 on chromosome 12 were initially found to be associated with resistance and susceptibility. Based on the linkage analysis in selected 158 RILs, we were able to map the locus between two flanking SSR markers, RM28574 and RM28706, on chromosome 12 within 4.4 and 3.8 cM, respectively. Further, two NILs with 99% genetic similarity, were identified from the RILs which differed in gall midge resistance. The tightly linked flanking SSR markers will facilitate marker-assisted gene pyramiding and map-based cloning of the resistant gene. NILs would be valuable materials for functional analysis of the identified candidate gene.