Estimation of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in germplasm of rice (Oryza sativa L.) for yield and yield attributing traits under agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

Rice underpins global food security, feeding over four billion people and remaining central to livelihoods across Asia (IRRI 2023). This study evaluated genetic variability among the 45 rice germplasm genotypes, including three checks (ANJALI, IR64, MTU1010) during Kharif 2024 at IGKV, Raipur. A randomized complete block design with three replications assessed eleven yield-related traits. ANOVA revealed significant variability for all traits. PCV exceeded GCV across all traits, indicating environmental influence; Highest GCV (22.8) and PCV (26.78) is recorded for number of filled grains per panicle, while grain yeild per plot showed the GCV (19.88) and PCV (23.57). The traits that exhibited both high heritability (>60%) and high genetic advance as% of mean (>20%) were days to 50% flowering (98.18, 29.06), number of filled grains per panicle (72.60, 40.05), number of total grains per panicle (70.38, 35.17), 100 seed weight (g) (94.44, 26.17), biological yield per plot (g) (69.76, 26.40), grain yield per plot(g) (71.14, 34.53), harvest index (62.68, 33.27) suggesting predominance of additive gene action and suitability for direct selection.