Ef-cd gene is a dominant earliness gene located on the short arm of rice chromosome 3. In this paper, through continuous backcross, self-pollination and molecular marker assisted selection, individual Ef-cd gene was isolated and its nearly isogenic lines were constructed by using early-maturing indica line 6442S-7 as the donor parent, and by using latematuring indica line Minghui 63 （MH63）, Shuhui 881 （SH881） and Shuhui 527 （SH527） as the recurrent parents （genetic background）, respectively. Further, it was found out that Ef-cd gene could generally advance rice to head 11-14 d earlier. So, it was considered that Ef-cd gene played an important role in rapid developing early-maturing and super high-yielding rice varieties.
DENG Xiao-jianWANG Ping-rongLI Xiu-lanDONG Chun-linYANG Zhi-rong
