Studies on correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield related traits in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

The present investigation consists of 26 Rice genotypes used for the experiment was conducted during Kharif-2019. The aim of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters of 13 yield attributing traits to study genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation coefficient analysis and path analysis with a view to select better yield attributes in rice. The higher value of phenotypic co- efficient of variation (PCV) compared to the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the studied traits indicated that there was an influence of the environment. Grain yield per plant exhibited high estimates of PCV and GCV followed by biological yield per plant, number of total tillers per hill, number of spikelets per panicle, and number of panicles per hill. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance is recorded for number of spikelets per panicle, all the characters which reflected that the direct selection of these characters based on phenotypic expression by simple select ion method for yield improvement would be more reliable. Grain yield per plant showed significant and positive association with days to 50% flowering, plant height, biological yield per plant, number of panicles per hill, number of total tillers per hill, number of spikelets per panicle, days to maturity, harvest index and panicle length indicating selection of these characters for yield improvement may be rewarding. Both at phenotypic and genotypic level days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of tillers per hill, number of panicles per hill, number of spikelets per panicle, days to maturity, biological yield per plant and harvest index had positive direct effects on grain yield per plant indicating their importance during selection in yield improvement programme.