Table2_Development of early maturing salt-tolerant rice variety KKL(R) 3 using a combination of conventional and molecular breeding approaches.DOCX

Introduction: Soil salinity poses a severe threat to rice production, resulting in stunted growth, leaf damage, and substantial yield losses. This study focuses on developing an early maturing seedling stage salinity tolerant rice variety by integrating conventional breeding methods with marker assisted breeding (MAB) approaches.Methods: Seedling-stage salinity tolerance Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) “Saltol” from the salt-tolerant parent FL478 was introduced into the high-yielding but salt-sensitive rice variety ADT 45. This was achieved through a combination of conventional breeding and MAB. The breeding process involved rigorous selection, screening, and physiological parameter assessments.Results: KKL(R) 3 (KR 15066) identified as the top performing Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL), consistently demonstrating maximum mean grain yields under both salinity (3435.6 kg/ha) and normal (6421.8 kg/ha) conditions. In comparison to the early maturing, salt-tolerant national check variety CSR 10, KKL(R) 3 exhibited a substantial yield increase over 50%.Discussion: The notable improvement observed in KKL(R) 3 positions it as a promising variety for release, offering a reliable solution to maximize yields, ensure food security, and promote agricultural sustainability in both saline and non-saline environments. The study highlights the effectiveness of MAB in developing salt-tolerant rice varieties and emphasizes the significance of the Saltol QTL in enhancing seedling stage salinity tolerance. The potential release of KKL(R) 3 has the capacity to revolutionize rice production in salt affected regions, providing farmers with a reliable solution to maximize yields and contribute to food security while ensuring agricultural sustainability.</p

Table1_Development of early maturing salt-tolerant rice variety KKL(R) 3 using a combination of conventional and molecular breeding approaches.DOCX

Introduction: Soil salinity poses a severe threat to rice production, resulting in stunted growth, leaf damage, and substantial yield losses. This study focuses on developing an early maturing seedling stage salinity tolerant rice variety by integrating conventional breeding methods with marker assisted breeding (MAB) approaches.Methods: Seedling-stage salinity tolerance Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) “Saltol” from the salt-tolerant parent FL478 was introduced into the high-yielding but salt-sensitive rice variety ADT 45. This was achieved through a combination of conventional breeding and MAB. The breeding process involved rigorous selection, screening, and physiological parameter assessments.Results: KKL(R) 3 (KR 15066) identified as the top performing Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL), consistently demonstrating maximum mean grain yields under both salinity (3435.6 kg/ha) and normal (6421.8 kg/ha) conditions. In comparison to the early maturing, salt-tolerant national check variety CSR 10, KKL(R) 3 exhibited a substantial yield increase over 50%.Discussion: The notable improvement observed in KKL(R) 3 positions it as a promising variety for release, offering a reliable solution to maximize yields, ensure food security, and promote agricultural sustainability in both saline and non-saline environments. The study highlights the effectiveness of MAB in developing salt-tolerant rice varieties and emphasizes the significance of the Saltol QTL in enhancing seedling stage salinity tolerance. The potential release of KKL(R) 3 has the capacity to revolutionize rice production in salt affected regions, providing farmers with a reliable solution to maximize yields and contribute to food security while ensuring agricultural sustainability.</p

Consumer preferences for aromatic rice for the countries, states, and provinces of Asia.

<p>In some regions, all popular rices are aromatic, in others, one or two is aromatic, and in some countries, aromatic rice is not popular. Additional information for other regions can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0085106#pone-0085106-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>. Data were obtained from INQR representatives from each region.</p

A: Grains ordered from shortest to longest, showing different widths (mm) in each class except the extra-long class.

<p>B: Histogram showing the proportion of bold (black), medium (light grey) and slender (dark grey) grain shapes within each length class for all the popular rices discussed in the present paper.</p

Regional variation in rice length and shape (length/width) of the three most popular varieties in the countries, states, and provinces of Asia.

<p>In some regions, more than one type of grains lengths and shapes are preferred. Colours represent length, and lines represent the shape. Additional information for other regions can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0085106#pone-0085106-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>. Data were obtained from INQR representatives from each region.</p

Principal Components Analysis of the volatile metabolomic signature of the traditional indica varieties from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), basmati varieties from South Asia, and the sadri varieties from Iran.

<p>PC1 explains 27% and PC2 explains 21% of variation.</p

Consumer preferences for texture based on gel consistency values.

<p>In many countries and regions, gel consistency is not measured (grey). Additional information for the other regions can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0085106#pone-0085106-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>. Data obtained from INQR representatives from each region.</p

Regional variation in gelatinisation temperature of the three most popular varieties in the countries, states, and provinces of Asia.

<p>In some regions, two classes are preferred. Additional information for other regions can be found in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0085106#pone-0085106-t002" target="_blank">Table 2</a>. Data were obtained from INQR representatives from each region.</p

Size exclusion chromatograms of low (A), intermediate (B) and high (C) amylose varieties.

<p>Each curve is the average of ten different rice varieties from each end of the range in each class. In each class, those with high amylose are shown by the grey curves, and those with lower amylose are shown by the black curve. Chains of amylose elute before 14 min and amylopectin chains after 14 min.</p

Primers used to sequence <i>Wx</i> gene of low AAC varieties.

<p>Primers used to sequence <i>Wx</i> gene of low AAC varieties.</p