Fragrance of rice is associated with an altered form of BAD2 on chromosome 8

Fragrance is a desirable trait of Basmati and other rice varieties associated with a recessive gene on chromosome 8. Sequencing of chromosome 8 of rice in the region of the fgr locus has identified an allele of a betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BAD) gene common to all fragrant genotypes. The gene encoding BAD was found in the region of the BAC clone identified as most likely to contain the fgr gene by mapping with SSR and SNP markers. The alleles from fragrant varieties all have common indels and SNPs relative to non fragrant genotypes demonstrating that the fgr gene in all fragrant genotypes tested was derived from a common ancestor and suggesting that fragrant rice results from a separate domestication event or has evolved in isolation from non fragrant genotypes.