Correlation and Path Coefficient Studies in F2 Populations of Rice

This study performed to determine the association between grain yield and yield components in fifty-four selected rice genotypes at F2 populations. Results showed that traits, the panicles per plant (r = 0.751) and filled grains per panicle (r = 0.458) correlated significantly with grain yield, while grain yield was negatively associated with non-filled grains per panicle (-0.297). Path coefficient analysis revealed that grain yield was associated with panicles per plant and filled grains per panicle with the direct effects of 0.691 and 0.568, respectively. The greatest indirect effect belonged to panicle length (0.301) through filled grains per panicle. Stepwise regression analysis showed that 72.1 percent of yield variation could be explained by three characters: the panicles per plant, filled grains per panicle and panicle length. Information obtained in this study revealed that traits, the panicles per plant and filled grains per panicle, could be used as selection criteria for grain yield improvement at segregating populations of rice.