The effects of Rf5 and Rf6 on fertility restoration in Honglian-type cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines of japonica rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica)

Abstract The Honglian (HL)-type cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has only been used in the development of three-line indica rice hybrids, and the fertility of HL-type indica CMS lines can be restored by two nonallelic fertility-restorer (Rf) genes, Rf5 and Rf6. For the development of HL-type japonica hybrid combinations, it is therefore necessary to determine whether Rf5 and Rf6 can restore the fertility of HL-type japonica CMS lines. Here, we genetically characterized HL-type japonica CMS lines and the ability of Rf5 and Rf6 to restore fertility for breeding HL-type japonica hybrids. I2-KI pollen staining revealed that HL-type japonica CMS lines and their derived testcross F1 hybrids had stained abortive pollen grains, unlike HL-type indica CMS lines. Crossing experiments showed that Rf5 and Rf6 partially restored the fertility of HL-type japonica CMS lines, and Rf6 showed higher restorability than Rf5. Furthermore, we found that there were additive and dosage effects of Rf5 and Rf6 with respect to fertility restoration in HL-type japonica CMS lines. These results give critical insight into the breeding of HL-type japonica CMS lines and restorers, which will be helpful for the development of commercial HL-type japonica hybrids.