Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An experiment was conducted to estimate the genetic variability parameters for the quantitative characters in mid early group genotypes of rice cultivars. The analysis of variance revealed significant difference among the genotypes for the traits studied indicating that a large amount of variability was present in the material. The magnitude of phenotypic co-efficient of variation was higher to genotypic co-efficient of variation for all the traits. The highest value of phenotypic and genotypic co-efficient of variation was observed for yield followed by number of grains per panicle and test weight. High heritability associated with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was found for the characters number of grains per panicle, yield, test weight and plant height indicating the role of additive gene action in controlling these characters.