Genetic Variability and Character Association Studies on Yield Attributing and Grain Quality Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Aim: The present investigation was undertaken with 49 genotypes to study variability and genetic parameters in addition to character association and path effects of yield, yield attributing and quality traits. Design: Simple lattice design with two replications. Place of study: Forty-nine genotypes were sown at IIRR Farm at ICRISAT, Hyderabad during Kharif season 2023. Methodology: The data was collected for all the genotypes and evaluated for variability, correlation and path coefficient studies. Results: High range of variation and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent mean was recorded for days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, productive tillers plant-1, test weight, LB ratio, water uptake, kernel length after cooking, zinc content and iron content. Correlation revealed that the grain yield was positively correlated with days to 50% flowering, productive tillers plant-1, LB ratio and iron content, meanwhile plant height, test weight, head rice recovery, kernel length, kernel breadth, water uptake, volume expansion ratio, amylose content, kernel length after cooking, elongation ratio and zinc content were found to be negatively correlated. Path analysis identified that iron content exerted the highest direct positive effect on grain yield plant-1 followed by kernel length and productive tillers plant-1, indicating that selection for these characters is likely to bring about on overall improvement in grain yield directly. Conclusion: The study found adequate genetic variability, with high heritability and additive gene action in certain traits. The prime selection indices include days to 50% flowering, productive tillers plant-1, LB ratio, kernel length, and iron content. These parameters should be given priority in rice breeding programs for high grain yield and quality traits.