Breeding Technology of eui-hybrids of Rice

Induced mutants of elongated uppermost internode (eui) were directly obtained after irradiation on maintainer (B) and restorer (R) lines of hybrid rice. CMS lines(A) with eui (referred to as eA), restorer lines with eui (referred to as eR) as well as hybrid rice with eui gene (referred to as e-hybrids)were developed. The results showed that the eui mutation frequency averaged 0.10‰ at a range of 0.02‰ - 0.47‰,varying with applied dosage and mutated materials. Genetic diversities of eui stock, and a new eui gene, temporarily designated as eui2(t), was identified. eA lines have a significantly elongated uppermost internode causing better panicle exsertion and possessing higher outcrossing potential. e-hybrids increased plant height by 3 - 10 cm and headed 2 - 3 days earlier, as well as showed greater grain weight resulting in higher yield potential than that of corresponding original hybrids. The technology systems without GA3, a few of using GA3 in hybrid rice seed production, and the establishment of e-hybrid rice breeding system were also discussed in this paper.