RICE RATOONING - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

INHERITANCE OF RATOONING ABILITY IN CHINESE VARIETIES 245Shu-Fong No. 1(11)/Hon-Mei-Zao, the interactions of [h], [i], and [l] are allnonsignificant except [j]. For Ai-Nan-Zao/Hon-Mei-Zao, the interactions of [h]and [i] with the cytoplasm show either significant or nearly significant negativeeffect.DISCUSSIONThe inheritance mechanism of ratooning ability in rice varieties is complex.Heterosis, heritability, and various components of genic effect in ratooning abilityappear liable to variation. This implies that selecting for ratooning ability is possiblein rice germplasm.While the comparison is made by the combined estimated results of hN2 withthe genic effects (see Table 5), the heritability of ratooning ability seems related to thecytoplasmic effect. In these experiments, although Tai-Guao-Dao-Xuan showsstrong ratooning ability and significant cytoplasmic effects for Shu-Fong No. 1(11),its heritability is nonsignificant. On the other hand, although Hon-Mei-Zao does notdisplay apparent cytoplasmic effects for Shu-Fong No. 1(11) and analysis of geniceffects shows that [d] and [i] are all nonsignificant, the heritability of tillerregeneration ability is extremely significant. This indicates that Hon-Mei-Zao is abetter parent in enhancing the ratooning ability for new varieties in breedingpractice. Of course, because of the limited number of the varieties under study, therelationship between cytoplasmic effect and heritability needs to be explored furtherwith more varietal types.There is a great possibility of breeding a new variety (or hybrid rice) with hightiller regeneration ability; it is important to select optimal parents and the manner ofcombination between parents.REFERENCES CITED1. Ding Ying, chief editor. 1961. Chinese cultivation. Agricultural Publishing House, Beijing, China. p.558-560.2. Li Shi Fen and Chen Tingwen. 1984. A preliminary study on the heredity of the ratooning power in ricevarieties ( O. sativa, subsp. Sien “or indica”) J. Sichuan Agric. College 11.2 (2):111-117.3. Ma YoHua. 1980. The fundamentals of quantitative genetics in plant breeding. Kiangsu People’sPublishing House, Kiangsu, China. p. 101-118, 280-332.4. Mather, K., and J.L. Jinks. 1977. Introduction to biochemical genetics. Cornell University Press.Ithaca, New York. 231 p.5. Yang Kai Chiu. 1962. The study on the ratoon rice. The selection on rice treatise. Sichuan People’sPublishing House, Sichuan, China. p. 256-329.