Evaluation of Genetic Variation and Heritability in Elite Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes Based on Quantitative Traits

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess genetic variability and divergence among 40 elite rice genotypes (Oryza sativa L.) which included red rice, white rice and aromatic rice under field conditions at the experimental farm of Rice and Wheat Research Centre, Malan during Kharif, 2022. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications, ten quantitative traits were evaluated, including phenological, morphological, and yield-related characters. The results revealed that significant genotypic differences were observed for all traits, indicating ample amount of genetic variability in the material under study. Notably, moderate to high genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV) were observed for key traits such as total tillers per plant (24.07% and 26.01%, respectively), spikelet per panicle (24.17% and 28.25%), Grains per panicle (27.27% and 30.46%), and grain yield per plant (24.19% and 30.09%). High heritability (>80%) coupled with high genetic advance (>20%) was recorded for several traits, including plant height (85.88% and 25.38%, respectively), total tillers per plant (85.59% and 45.87%), Grains per panicle (80.14% and 50.30%) and 1000- grain weight (97.84%, 22.35%) indicating the predominance of additive gene action and scope for effective selection. These findings suggest that seed yield and its contributing traits could serve as reliable selection indices in the breeding programs, providing valuable insights for the development of improved cultivars with higher productivity and desirable agronomic characteristics.