Correlation and path coefficient analysis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes for yield and its attributing traits

Yield is one of the most important trait considered in any breeding programme. To find the traits attributing the yield and its effect on yield, the present experiment was done with thirty four rice genotypes using correlation and path coefficient analysis. Twelve characters viz., plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of effective tillers per plant, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, number of fertile grains per panicle, biological yield, grain yield, 1000 grain weight and harvest index was taken. Out of the twelve characters, effective number of tillers per plant, number of spikelets per plant, number of fertile grains per plant and biological yield per plant were found to be strong positively correlated with grain yield while plant height, days to 50% flowering, panicle length and flag leaf length had revealed negative correlation with grain yield. Biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibited high positive direct effect on grain yield whereas negative direct effect was exhibited by plant height and days to maturity. The traits like effective number of tillers per plant number of spikelets per plant, number of fertile grains per panicle and biological yield per plant can be utilized for the selection of high yielding rice genotypes and can be further used in crop improvement programme.