Screening and identification of Rice yellow mottle virus -resistant genotypes in Ghana for enhanced breeding

Rice yellow mottle virus is a disease that reduces rice production in Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Rice yellow mottle virus on selected yield and yield-related traits of rice in Ghana, and to identify novel sources of Rice yellow mottle virus resistance for breeding purposes. Seventeen (17) rice genotypes, which included two resistant and two susceptible checks, were used in the present study. Completely Randomized Design with three replicates of the virus inoculated portion were compared to uninoculated genotypes serving as the control. The results showed that Rice yellow mottle virus considerably reduced the grain yield, panicle number, fresh biomass, tiller number, and dry biomass. Tiller number, panicle number, plant height, flowering days, maturity days, fresh biomass, and grain yield showed high heritability in addition to high genetic advance. The biplot indicated the yellow mottle virus had the least effect on FL478, NERICA 4, IR29, FARO 67, CRI-Amankwatia, ART35-49-D1-1, and CRI-Enapa genotypes, along with the resistant checks Gigante and Tog5674. The genotypes were grouped into two clusters. Cluster I comprised some moderately resistant genotypes, and cluster II contained some highly resistant genotypes. The recently discovered resistant genotypes can be employed in Rice yellow mottle virus resistance breeding, particularly in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa.