Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation studies for yield and component traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The present study was conducted to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation, broad sense heritability, genetic gain and correlations in rice during kharif season 2016-17 at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. Thirteen rice genotypes along with their thirty F1 developed by using line × tester mating design were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications for yield and yield components namely days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height at maturity, numbers of tillers per plant, number of panicle per plant, panicle length number of grains per panicle, grain length, Grain width, 1000 grain weight and grain yield per plant. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the genotypes were observed for all the characters under study which is essential to achieve crop improvement through selection. Highest GCV and PCV estimates was obtained for grain yield per plant. High Broad sense heritability and correspondingly high genetic advance was obtained for grain yield per plant and number of grains per panicle suggesting that selection for these character may be effective. Grain yield per plant showed positive and significant phenotypic and genotypic association with number of tillers per plant ( 0.749, 0.838), number of panicles per plant (0.784, 0.843), panicle length ( 0.479, 0.572) and number of grains per panicle (0.521, 0.543). 1000 grain weight (0.313) showed significant positive genotypic association with grain yield per plant therefore these characters can be used for grain yield selection.