Breeding of high protein quality rice

Summary Three breeding lines (F₈) of rice, derived from cross between Brimful X Koshihikari were tested for protein, amino acid, growth test with rats and yield parameters in field trials. The breeding lines had higher protein and amino acid concentrations than the leading Japanese cultivar Koshihikari, which was grown as a control. Grain yield in the breeding lines was lower than that of Koshihikari (4.5 t/ha). The grain-protein yield of the breeding lines was higher (500 kg/ha) than that of Koshihikari (440 kg/ha). The average gain in weight of rats fed brown and milled rices of the breeding line was 19 and 21 g, respectively: in control rats fed Koshihikari average gain was –1 and 8 g. These results showed that the breeding lines of rice can be developed which possess higher food value than the available varieties.