Genetic Analysis of Grain Yield and Its Associated Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

In this current study, a comprehensive examination of 72 rice germplasm from the germplasm collection was conducted. Notable checks, Sarjoo-52, NDR-2065, and MTU-7029, exhibited a broad spectrum of variations in multiple traits during the kharif season of 2022. The assessment, conducted at CRS Masodha of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Ayodhya, (U.P.). The parameters under scrutiny included days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, panicle length, number of productive tillers per plant, flag leaf area, fertile spikelets per panicle, spikelet fertility percentage per panicle, biological yield, harvest index, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield. The resulting data were utilized for mean estimation, range determination, least significant differences, correlation analysis, path-coefficients, and genetic divergence exploration. Remarkably, the genotype Lajkulired (53.30), followed closely by Pancham (45.963) and Lakrawa (44.540), demonstrated the highest grain yield per plant. These particular lines showcase promising potential as parental candidates in hybridization programs aiming for the development of high-yielding rice varieties. The close association-ship between grain yield per plant, biological yield per plant, and the number of productive tillers per plant. Path analysis highlighted biological yield per plant and harvest index as major contributors directly influencing grain yield per plant. Additionally, flag leaf area (cm2), panicle length (cm), and the number of productive tillers per plant emerged as crucial indirect yield components associated with biological yield.