Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient studies in F2 generation of rice (Orzya sativa L.)

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the staple cereal crops which feed more than half of the world population. Therefore, a better insight to the association of yield with its component traits can be helpful in improving the rice yield. The present study comprised of 371 F2 segregating progenies of the cross (Sahbhagidhan and BPT-5204 Sub-1), which were evaluated to assess the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance, correlation and direct and indirect effects among yield and yield components. The correlation studies revealed that seed yield per plant was positively and significantly correlated with number of tillers per plant, number of panicles per plant, number of spikelets per plant, number of grains per plant, number of spikelets per panicle, number of grains per panicle, fertility percent and panicle length in F2 generation. The path analysis indicated that number of panicles per plant, number of spikelets per plant and number of grains per plant exhibited high and positive direct effects and thus, may be considered as useful traits for yield improvement of rice.