Genetic Variability Studies for Yield and Yield Components in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Twenty five rice genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications to examine the nature and magnitude of variability, heritability and genetic advance. Analysis of variance revealed that differences among the genotypes were significant for all the characters studied. Further, the traits, number of tillers per plant, productive tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle and number of filled grains per panicle showed higher estimates of genotypic and phenotypic co-efficient of variation, while high estimates of heritability were recorded for all the characters under study. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was also recorded for number of tillers per plant, productive tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle and number of filled grains per panicle suggesting that these traits were more useful for targetted yield improvement programmes in rice.