Rice is the main food crop for more than half of the world population. It has been estimated that the world will have to
produce 60% more rice by 2030 than what is produced in 1995 (Yuan L P. 2004). Hybrid rice grows faster, yield more,
and resist stress better than either parent (Yuan L P. 2012). So, hybrid rice has been proved practically for many years
playing a critical role in solving the food problem by more than 20% yield advantage over improved inbred varieties
(Yuan L P. 1996, 1997). Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae isolates numbering 30 obtained from hybrid lines, their
cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), restorer, maintainer and inbred lines, revealed a greater amount of genetic diversity.
Fifteen lineages were detected at a similarity level of 60%. The result emphasizes that these pathotypes are mismatched
with the genes, xa-5, xa-13 and Xa-21 suggesting the possibility of pyramiding them for enhancing the resistance in the
rice hybrids.
