DNA Marker Analysis to Enhance Rice Variety Development.

In 2021 molecular genetics staff at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Rice Research and Extension Center (RREC) performed genetic analysis for rice breeding projects involving DNA marker-assisted selection (MAS) for the traits of cooking quality, rice blast disease resistance, and the herbicide resistance technologies Clearfield and Provisia. The lab screened a total of 890 test samples with up to 8 markers. The rice molecular analysis projects included parental materials, backcross populations, and early and advanced generations of conventional breeding materials currently in development. In total, the lab generated 6,189 data points for 3 clients. The work was accomplished using 10 DNA template plates, 68 PCR plates, 10 runs on the ABI 3500xL to analyze simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and 29 PCR Allele Competitive Extension (PACE™) runs to analyze single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Fifty-six percent of the data points were generated using the ABI 3500xL, while 44% were generated using an endpoint fluorescence platform (FLUOstar Omega SNP Reader) with PACE™ universal master mix. While developing new allele-specific SNP markers linked to the cooking quality gene Waxy and the rice blast disease resistance gene Pi-ta the molecular genetics lab also modified existing SNP markers linked to the traits of gelatinization temperature, aroma, and glabrous leaf and sheath. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]