Assessment of genetic parameters and correlation studies in root and shoot traits among upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) of Manipur in relation to drought tolerance

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the genetic parameters and correlation between the root and shoot traits in 50 upland rice genotypes of Manipur along with 3 checks for drought tolerance. The highest GCV and PCV values were recorded in Root fresh weight with 42% and 41.9% in controlled and 34% and 33.7% in stressed conditions. This was followed by Root dry weight (35.29% & 34.79% and 25.2% & 23.97%) in controlled and stressed conditions, respectively. The estimates of heritability were observed to be high in magnitude for all the characters. Heritability ranged from 80.32 per cent (number of tillers) and 99.7 per cent (root fresh weight) in controlled and 92.36 per cent (number of tillers) and 99.36 (shoot length) in stressed conditions. Correlation reveals highly positive and significant association at 0.01% in both controlled and stressed conditions. The large genetic variation found in this population can be exploited further to develop a few forward breeding high-yielding lines with better drought tolerance ability and used as drought donors in drought breeding programs.