Pyramiding genes related to grain quality and resistance through marker assisted selection (MAS) is an important approach in rice breeding programs. Marker-assisted selection can be used for monitoring the presence or absence of these genes in breeding populations and can be combined with conventional breeding approaches. This study is a part of cultivar development program in Iran through integration of conventional breeding with marker assisted selection. Crosses between two high yielding

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... sgenic lines carrying an insect resistance gene (cry1Ab, from Bacillus thuringiensis) with a local aromatic variety were made followed by selection for incorporation of insect resistance and aroma (fgr) genes in desirable single F 2 plants. Finally, plants homozygous for aroma and carrying cry1Ab genes with good agronomic performance were identified. Further analyses are underway on these plants in F 3 generation. These plants promise to develop new aromatic Bt rice lines through integration of classical and molecular breeding in the near future in Iran