Combining two semidwarfing genes d60 and sd1 for reduced height in 'Minihikari', a new rice germplasm in the 'Koshihikari' genetic background.

Dwarfing in rice has dramatically improved and stabilized rice yields worldwide, often controlled by a single dwarf gene, sd1. A novel semidwarf gene d60 complements the gametic lethal gene gal, such that the F(1) between 'Hokuriku 100' (genotype d60d60GalGal, Gal: mutant non-lethal allele) and 'Koshihikari' (D60D60galgal, D60: tall allele) would show 25% sterility due to deterioration of gametes bearing both gal and d60. The F(2) would segregate as one semidwarf (1 d60d60GalGal) : two tall and 25% sterile (2 D60d60Galgal) : six tall (2 D60d60GalGal : 1 D60D60GalGal : 2 D60D60Galgal : 1 D60D60galgal), skewed from a Mendelian segregation ratio of one semidwarf : three tall for a single recessive gene. To pyramid d60 and sd1, into the Japanese super-variety 'Koshihikari', the F(1) (D60d60Galgal) of 'Koshihikari' × 'Hokuriku 100' was first backcrossed with 'Koshihikari', and the BCF(1) segregated into a ratio of one tall and 25% sterile (D60d60Galgal) : two tall (1 D60D60Galgal : 1 D60D60galgal). Tall, 25% sterile BC(1)F(1) plants (D60d60Galgal) were then selected for pollen sterility and backcrossed with 'Koshihikari' as the recurrent parent. It is unnecessary to grow out and select a semidwarf from the BC(n)F(2) if a pollen parent with ~70% pollen fertility is chosen from the BC(n)F(1) to backcross with the recurrent parent. Semidwarfing genes d60 and sd1 were successfully pyramided into the 'Koshihikari' genome by crossing isogenic lines 'Koshihikari d60' and 'Koshihikari sd1', to produce 'Minihikari', a new parental source of both d60 and sd1. 'Minihikari' displayed super-short stature due to the combination of sd1 and d60, which are genetically and functionally independent.