Agronomic and molecular evaluation of rice lines in a breeding program
Abstract Obtaining new and improved varieties of rice requires long and complex plant breeding programs. The early detection of desirable characteristics is a complex process, especially when seeking to improve yield, as the interaction between the environment and plants may hinder selection in early generations considerably. Techniques that facilitate the selection of plants with desirable characteristics in early generations are highly valuable to plant breeders. An indirect selection method in early generations of rice was examined by principal component analysis of performance supported by field tests with a honeycomb design. This study used double haploid lines of rice obtained by crossing two rice varieties, namely ‘Benisants’ and ‘Gigante Vercelli’. This method was compared to indirect selection using genomic tools such as high-throughput molecular marker analysis. The main factors that can be used in indirect selection have been selected by principal component analysis. The model resulting from the phenological evaluation and principal component analysis with six selected variables explained 98.73% of the total variability of yield. The variable that contributes the most to the model is the Harvest Index. The best selected lines provided 32% and 43% higher yield values than the parentals and match the results from indirect selection with molecular markers.