Breeding for Resilience: Cross-Environment Stability of Rice Genotypes Combining High Yield and Major Disease Resistance

Abstract

Rice production is severely affected by different stresses, especially biotic stresses. The current study was aimed to identify resilient genotypes with wider adaptation along with major disease resistance. Genotypes, BR11866-5R-277, BR11867-5R-118, BR11867-5R-331, BR12437-4R-164, BRRI dhan101, and BRRI dhan89 were identified as the most stable genotypes by utilizing GGE biplot and PCA analysis, whereas BR11869-5R-148, BR12125-6R-6, BR12125-6R-79, and BR13796-5R-102 exhibited site-specific adaptability for grain yield. MGIDI index demonstrated that BR11866-5R-277, BR11867-5R-331, and BRRI dhan89 were closest to the ideotype by combining multi-trait i.e., yield, growth duration, and plant height, with stability. Most of the genotypes met the national standard of grain quality. The genotypes BR11866-5R-277 and BR11867-5R-331 showed BB resistance and BR11867-5R-118, BR12125-6R-6, BR12125-6R-79, BR12450-4R-108, BR12450-4R-24 demonstrated blast resistance. The genotypes BR11866-5R-277 and BR11867-5R-119 showed resistance to BB and blast both. Based on SNP genotyping and screening result different combinations of pyramided lines were identified. Those lines will be the potential donors for further breeding program. The genotypes BR11866-5R-277, BR11867-5R-118, BR11867-5R-331, BR12125-6R-6, BR12450-4R-108, and BRRI dhan101 could be promising candidates for breeding program targeting high yield, stability, superior quality, and durable disease resistance. The BR11866-5R-277 and BR11867-5R-331 line would be selected for further trial and variety release for bacterial blight (BB) and tungro (RTV) resistance, respectively.

Bangladesh Rice J.29(2): 1-16, 2025