Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and its contributing traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The experiment on 125 genotypes (20 lines, 5 tester and 100 F1’s) including a check viz., Pusa Basmati 6 of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted to work out the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance effects of their various attributes on grain yield. The mean squares due to treatments, parents and crosses were highly significant for all the fifteen characters indicated the presence of sufficient variability in the study materials. PCV was higher than the genotypic GCV for all the traits. High heritability (>60%) were recorded for characters viz., grains per panicle, spikelets per panicle, L:B ratio, kernel length, panicle length, kernel breadth, flag leaf area, grain yield per plant, plant height, panicle bearing tillers per plant, 1000-grain weight, harvest-index and spikelet fertility. The high genetic advance in percent of mean (>20) was recorded for grains per panicle fallowed by spikelet’s per panicle and L:B ratio for this parameter. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance in per cent of mean were observed for the characters like grains per panicle, spikelets per panicle, and L:B ratio. High heritability and genetic advance account that the additive nature of gene action and so that these characters are directly selecting for further advancement of rice crop.