TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SEGREGATION DISTORTION TO INCREASE VARIABILITY IN BREEDING DR. Paul Njiruh Nthakanio Dr. James I. Kanya Dr. John M. Kimani Dr. Raphael Wanjogu FUNDED / COLLABORATORS NATIONAL IRRIGATION BOARB, EUC, UoN, KARI

1.1 Background : Rice production in Kenya. Over 300tonnes of rice is consumed in Kenya. About 100tones is locally produced. In Kenya rice is mainly grown in Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala, West Kano, Yala Swamp (MoA, 2011) About 98% of Mwea rice is Basmati. By year 2030 Kenya population is expected to be 60.0million. Rice yield is expected to increase 600% to feed the population

1.2Response to National challenges In 2013 conference we were challenged to; i) Breed for lines that yield higher under local conditions ii) Have a realistic response to climate change

Facts on Basmati In favour i) Aroma ii) Good cooking qualities iii) Relative early maturing (85days to heading) iv) Relative resistant to blast (compared to other lines)

Weakness of Basmati Tall and weak stem – it cannot take a lot of Nitrogen which responsible for yield increase Lodging Low tillering ability Conserved variety

Discovery Cross between Basmati and V1,V2 and V3 Lead to segregation distortion at F2 generation (Njiruh et al. 2013) F2 deviate from Mendelia laws of segregation Using Science to make product: this know was used to develop varied recombinant inbreed lies (numerous in numbers)

2. Objective Use segregation distortions to increase variation in recombinant inbred lines Select lines superior than Basmati but with acceptable breeding and cooking traits

Results or Outputs

New lines

Achievement's High tillering ability Dwarf- it can take more nitrogenous fertilizer Early maturity

Acknowledgement National irrigation Board Embu University College University of Nairobi Kenya Agricultural Research Institute